This is a hard saying
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10
This one is hard for me. It’s hard for me to understand how persecution can be a blessing. Sure, I can receive it by faith, but to write about it with conviction takes some revelation. So, I am going to start with the second part and hopefully we will have a better grasp when I am done.
The second part of the verse says “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus talked about the kingdom of heaven all through His ministry here in the world. I think Jesus gave the clearest explanation of the Kingdom of heaven when asked about it by the Pharisees in Luke 17. He said: “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:20-21) Jesus plainly says that God’s kingdom or the kingdom of heaven is not some place you will see only after you die or not when He sets up His kingdom on Earth. He told them that God’s domain is inside each one of His people. It is where He lives. In our lives and in our hearts. We release that kingdom in our lives when we receive Jesus as Savior and begin to walk out our purpose in this world. We don’t have to wait until the great by and by when we are gone from this world, Jesus tells us that we can operate in the kingdom right here in the world right now. By following His example and the leading of His Spirit, we can walk each day by heaven’s principles and heaven’s laws. Why else would He tell us to pray for His will to be done here in the world just as it is in heaven. (see Matthew 6)
This is great news and when we realize that we are living this life the kingdom of heaven way and in God’s love and direction, that becomes all that is important. I am reminded of Stephen when he faced the persecution of the high priest and counsel, all he saw was the kingdom of heaven even until death. Notice Stephen’s words in the face of being stoned to death: But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”(Acts 7:55-56)
Wow! That truly is a blessing to be at the point of martyrdom to only be able to see God in His kingdom watching what is going on and Jesus standing to welcome you home. I do see that as a blessing. I also know that when I am talking to someone about salvation, I am talking to them as someone who belongs to a different world than they do and I am willing to give my life so that they can escape this world of sin too. I am His ambassador from His kingdom to this world that I live in right now. I am here to tell others about my King that loves all people and wants to welcome them all into His kingdom to escape their destiny of punishment. Sometimes I may face hardship, and sometime it may be uncomfortable, but I am will to represent God’s kingdom as His daughter even to the point of death because I know that it has no hold on me.
Jesus was right when He said blessed are those who are persecuted because of their right relationship with God because they belong to a different Kingdom, the kingdom of heaven.
Today I want to encourage you to walk out your days knowing that you belong to a different kingdom, and you are a citizen of heaven. You have been deployed into this world to bring God’s kingdom to others after you received Jesus into your heart and life. Now you understand that the world will try to come against you sometimes, but you are not of this world, this is not your home, so it doesn’t matter what they think of you, it only matters that they get the opportunity to receive Jesus and His kingdom into their life too. They may not receive His great gift of love immediately after hearing, but those seed of salvation you planted will grow up to yield a crop of blessing in their hearts and yours.
Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 5:3-12
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
The Daily Dose 