THE BEATITUDES – PART 10
“Blessed are you when people insult
you … because of me.”
The people that Jesus is speaking to are getting to understand in fine detail what will be required of them if they choose to follow Him wholeheartedly. In the previous statement, He warned them that some of them will be persecuted, and now He tells them that they will all be insulted for believing in Him.
The Greek word ŏněidizõ [on-i-did-zo], implying to suffer reproach, be defamed and criticised in an angry and abusive manner, underlies the word insult. This is not a pleasant situation for anyone, but for the person who follows after the ways of Christ, it can almost be seen as a badge of honour. In fact, Peter writes: “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us” (1 Peter 2:12 NIV).
As we saw in the overview to this series, Luke writes the above statement as follows: “Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven” (Luke 6:22-23 NIV).
I have come to realise that if a person says they are a Christian but lives their life more like those in the world do, then they are fully accepted by the world and escape insult. They are doing nothing more than heaping burning coals upon their heads. For the true Christ Follower who stands up and chooses not to act as the world does outside of church or Christian fellowship, then great is their reward when they come to be in God’s presence and experience His glory forever.
Jesus has just explained to the people that they are to be peacemakers, so with that understanding, when the insults and abuse happen, we are not to retaliate. Their time of judgment is coming. Just as Miriam got judged and was found wanting by God when she came against her brother Moses and was struck with leprosy, so I believe that God will serve righteous judgment against those who come against His children.
Let us walk this road together, encouraging each other through times of persecution and defamation of character. Let us not accept gossip about someone in the body of believers, thereby placing unnecessary burdens on their shoulders, nor be found talking maliciously about a brother/sister in Christ either.
For those
who persevere, a glorious reward awaits.