Matthew 5:11-12

“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Matthew 5:11-12

Jesus ends the Beatitudes with an intense focus on the persecution that will come our way.  When the world throws everything at you — they may insult and slander you, go out of their way to make your life miserable, or falsely accuse you for no other reason than the fact that you are a Christian — be BLESSED.  Why? Because our reward is great and we’re in good company. We’re just like all the prophets that went before us.

Daniel was thrown in a lion’s den, Jeremiah into a mud-filled well, and Isaiah was sawn in half — all for the truth.

Ultimately, a great heavenly reward awaits those who endure persecution in this life.  So…

Rejoice and be exceedingly glad,

Pastor Gerard Deleeuw