Matthew 5:10-11: The Inverted Kingdom – Part IV
Saturday, January 20, 2024
Jesus proposes that we set aside our desire for honor and fame. Today we consider the qualities of steadfastness and fidelity that Jesus tells us are essential if we want to follow his Way.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. (NSRV)
This vision of the world sees persecution for Jesus’ sake as a sign of our fidelity.
Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires; the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them! Happy are you when people insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of evil lies against you because you are my followers. (GNT)
This picture of the world sees mockery and hatred against us as a consequence of our persistence in adhering to the Law of Love.
Those who are treated badly for doing good are happy. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them. People will say bad things about you and hurt you. They will lie and say all kinds of evil things about you because you follow me. But when they do these things to you, you are happy. (ICB)
This view of the world sees suffering for Christ as an antidote to animosity and evil.
You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom. Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. (MSG)
This picture of the world sees rejection for God’s sake as the deepest kind of blessing.
The Gospels show us how Jesus hopes to prepare each of us to follow him. They show us that God will persist in transforming evil with that goodness. They show us that the Spirit abides in loving understanding that the Way of Love is difficult but unconditionally rewarding.
How do we persist in our hope to put aside honor for the authentic recognition that each of us is loved beyond measure? How willing are we to ignore the mockery, persecution, exclusion and hatred of others . . . and greet all with the open arms of Christ’s love?
When we compare varying versions of these verses, we better understand that persecution becomes blessing when we agree to follow Christ.
Image from: http://spreadthewordbykj.blogspot.com/2016/03/wednesday-wake-up-32.html
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