Title: The Transition
At the conclusion of last Sunday’s sermon, Jenna Beadle asked a really good question. She asked me why I didn’t include verses 11-12 in the Beatitudes. Certainly, verse 11 does begin with “blessed”, so you’d think it would qualify. I explained that 11-12 actually serve as a transitional statement from the Beatitudes into Christian’s roles and responsibility here on earth. Furthermore, verses 11-12 do not serve as parallels to each other like verses 3-10 do.
That being said, there is much we can wean from verses 11-12, so let’s take a look.
(read/pray)
- The Key Word
I think there is a very key word in verse 11 that we must take not of…anybody want to take a guess as to what that word might be?
“Falsely.”
All of this blessing, all of this “favor of God” during persecution is contingent upon these claims and accusations from the world being false. I know this sounds rather elementary, but how many times have you seen Christians acting like immature, judgmental idiots, and the world reacts negatively to their attitudes and behavior, and then, clinging to this verse and others like it, the Christian actually takes comfort in the negative reaction they get from the world? They feel validated in their own behavior because the world is persecuting them.
What’s the biggest danger in this?
That it becomes a cycle.
This person feels validated as a believer whenever they get persecuted, and, therefore they are self-encouraged to get under non-believers skins. How in the world is that being a good ambassador for the Kingdom of Christ?
Might I humbly suggest that it’s possible for the world to persecute and hate you simply because you are an inconsiderate, condescending idiot, and not because you are doing God’s will?
Examples:
- Obnoxious Prayers (evangelist in restaurant example)
- Pulling the “hell” card
- Not showing an interest in THEM/THIER VIEWPOINT
My biggest issue here is a lack of meekness, and lack of basic humility, a lack of basic mercy for others who may just not know Truth yet.
Of course the key, the litmus test is whether the accusations are false. That is what this all boils down to. I know what I am about to say is a difficult application, I sometimes struggle with it myself, but I want to suggest something so that we might be on guard against this very type of arrogant attitude in our lives.
Application: When a non-believer brings a rebuke or accusation against you, distance yourself emotionally from your response, objectively consider their position, see if it has ANY merit, and (if it does) politely acknowledge they have a point, ask them to forgive you, and THEN offer your perspective.
Many times in my life, I have forced myself to have this type of reaction. (It does not come naturally or easily, I must force it.) But 9 out of 10 times the person is so stunned by your reaction of humility, it turns into a wonderful opportunity to witness to them.
And when a believer rebukes you, do the same thing. In other words don’t worry so much about being right, worry about being right with God.
- Who’s shoes are you filling?
Okay, so verse 11 serves as a blessing. It tells us that when this inevitable persecution comes we shouldn’t be so surprised, but be mindful that there is validation in persecution, provided the persecution is because you are being holy and humble, and the accusations are totally false.
Well now, Jesus piggybacks verse 12, which isn’t a blessing statement, but perhaps something even more powerful than that: Verse 12 is a command as to how we should react to persecution, coupled with a reminder of the honor of our selection.
What do I mean by that?
Well, Jesus begins v. 12 with an emphatic “Chairo!” (Rejoice-VERB) and be (static state) exceedingly glad.
Why?
Because our reward is in heaven. Not here. Not now.
Any validation, joy, peace, rest, or assurance that we get on earth is a bonus, and will pale in comparison to the joy, peace, rest, and assurance that we will receive in heaven.
Furthermore, Jesus tells us something remarkable. He tells us that we are prophets. He says, as they persecuted the prophets that were before you, so they will persecute you.
I don’t think of myself as Jeremiah, a teenage prophet that defied a nation.
I don’t think of myself as Moses, a prophet who delivered his people out from under 400 years of slavery.
I don’t think of myself as Nathan, who stood before King David and rebuked him so viciously that David’s only response was utter depravity and repentance.
I don’t think of myself as these men.
But, apparently, Jesus sees a connection.
That makes me very, very quiet. When I see what God expects of me, and where I am, I get quiet…I also realize how poor in spirit I am, I mourn my own sin, I feel meek and humbled, I realize that I can’t do this on my own, and I hunger and thirst for righteousness. And in this state of mind, I become merciful with others, I desire my own purity more, I seek to make peace with others, and I have a resolve and bravery about me which often leads me right into the fires of persecution.
See the pattern? Verse 12 will take us right to the feet of verse 3, if we let it.