Text: Matthew 5:12 NKJV
Further Reading: Matthew 5:10-12
Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:12 NKJV
MESSAGE
Everything in the kingdom is completely opposite of what it is in the world. When anyone sees the topic of today’s message, he would think that it is about joy and great gladness that comes as a result of some blessings that God promised.
But in reality, Jesus told us that we should rejoice and be exceedingly glad for being persecuted and when we suffer. How does that even make sense? But it is the kingdom’s code. This is not a worked-up joy or gladness but the joy of the Lord that is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost.
The Bible told us that the apostles were rejoicing after they had been imprisoned and beaten. They considered it a thing of joy to be a partaker in the suffering of Christ. They know that if we suffer with Him, we will also share in His glory, but if we deny Him, He will also deny us.
Remember the word of the Lord: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. John 15:20 NKJV . He also told us that the world will you because the world hated Him. It is not you that they have hated but Christ himself, so rejoice.
The cost of following Jesus is very high. Contrary to the fancy Christianity presented in our day, the reality is that your devotion to Christ will attract hatred even from the people closest to you (Luke 21:16-17).
If you will distinguish yourself from the world as a Christian, then you must be ready to face backlash from people. This is not because you have done something wrong, but because you refuse to do wrong. Anytime as a student, you chose to stand for God against Examination malpractice, you earn yourself more enemies in your class.
As a Christian on the Job who chose integrity against fraud, many of your colleagues will hate you. As a business person who is not ripping people off, other people in your line of business will persecute you and accuse you of spoiling their market. These and many other scenarios play out to discourage us from the way of truth.
You may be worried and wondering if following Christ is worth it. Are you considering quitting on Christ because of the many opportunities that seem to have eluded you because of your stand for Christ? Don’t quit, God’s word says that you are blessed because there is an eternal reward waiting for you in heaven.
What Christ has promised us is deeper and bigger than whatever we have missed here on earth. Never forget that the suffering of this life is nothing compared to the glory that God has prepared for us (Romans 8:18). Therefore rejoice and be exceedingly glad – Christ is worth everything and it’s a privilege to stand for Him.
REFLECTION
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Philippians 4:4 NKJV
Even when we are persecuted and suffer, God will give us His joy that will release strength to go through that phase of life.
PRAYER
Father, I receive the fullness of your joy to be able to face every situation of life.
