WE ARE IN ONE OF THREE PLACES

"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs." Matthew 5:10 (CSB)

Today as we consider the teaching on being blessed by being persecuted, let us ponder two Old Testament accounts that show the reality of this teaching.

Isaiah shows us the account of the Suffering Servant. Consider the fact that the Messiah that Israel was looking for – was to suffer persecution to attain the freedom. Consider that it was foretold that Jesus would face:

§  Contusions – An internal bruise caused by a blunt object such as a blow from a rod.– Isaiah 53: 5

§  Lacerations – A wound which results in a jagged or irregular tear. – Isaiah 53:5

§  Buffeted – his appearance was so damaged beyond that of any man – Isaiah 52:14

Isaiah tells us that the accumulated sufferings of the Messiah, being wounded, bruised, chastised, pierced-through, plagued, crushed was not for His own sins, but for ours. He carried on His own person the sins of the world. He carried your and my sins to the cross that we might be forgiven – Isaiah 53:10

David, the sweet singer of Israel gives us a lesson in Psalm 7. This is a song that is both a prayer and praise for deliverance from his enemies. He faced his fair share of persecutions in his day.

Psalm 7 deals with what to do when:

·      People may lie about us to get us in trouble

·      People may try and set traps to get us to stumble

·      People may hate us so much as Christians that they gossip and spread rumors about us.

·      People may even invent conspiracy theories about us to make us look bad to others and ruin our testimony.

So, Jesus is reminding us of the truth – that life is not going to be a “bed of roses.” Every one of us is in one of three places:

·      Either, we are in problems and persecutions,

·      Or, we have just got out, or

·      We are just about to get into that place.

Hang in, God is with you, and we will be rewarded. Tomorrow we will see how to develop the correct attitude.