Tuesday 27th February
Read Matthew 5:10
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (NIVUK)
Jesus will expand on this beatitude and personalise it (v11-12) but with this blessing He brackets what the good life is like. For the poor in spirit (v2) and those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake (v10) both receive the kingdom of heaven. In some way, these two beatitudes encapsulate all that the good life promises.
They are rather difficult to manufacture or fake. There is a recognition of just how powerless one truly is, just how much one is in need of ‘spirit’ and the inevitable consequences of living the good life, hungering and thirsting after righteousness. We should always remember that Jesus does not say blessed are those who are persecuted because they are grumpy or fanatical or generally obnoxious. But only those who do the right thing and stand up for those rights that others overlook. They will be persecuted not least because they prick the consciences of those around them…
There is a virtue and purity of heart inherent in the one who inspires such opposition. Polycarp (the bishop in Ephesus who followed John), writing to the Philippians describes just such virtuous requirements. Note how he too brackets these two beatitudes of Jesus…
““not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing,” or blow for blow, or cursing for cursing, but being mindful of what the Lord said in His teaching: “Judge not, that ye be not judged; forgive, and it shall be forgiven unto you; be merciful, that ye may obtain mercy; with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again;” and once more, “Blessed are the poor, and those that are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of God.”” (Polycarp, Epistle to the Philippians, Chapter 2)
Pray that you too will be free from hypocrisy.
