_“The apostles ... rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.”(Acts 5: 41)_
*In Matthew 5:11,12 we read of the last beatitude. It talks about three things- 1) A Great pleasure - “Rejoice and be glad.” Jesus never lured His disciples with false hopes of grandeur. He promised them suffering, persecution and a cross. Nevertheless He also indicated that increasing joy would be their continuing experience as they learned to walk with God. Someone said, “Happiness among men is an experience based on happenings.” If events are adverse, the outcome tends to be sad, discouraging and miserable. If everything goes according to plan, people feel pleased, satisfied and glad. Christianity does not work in that way. Joy is not really affected by adverse circumstances but it depends upon fellowship with God. Happiness may be destroyed in moments, true joy is eternal. 2) A Glorious Promise - “Great is your reward in heaven.” There are atleast three reasons for the joy of the Christian. Firstly, as it is mentioned in this passage we should rejoice when people insult us, persecute us and say all manner of evil against us falsely for the sake of our faith in Jesus because great will be our reward in heaven. Secondly, Jesus said in Luke 10: 20 that we should rejoice that our names are written in heaven. John in Revelation 22:4 says that we will one day see the Savior’s face. Then the severity of persecution will fade into insignificance. So, thirdly, we should rejoice in anticipation of the reward for our meritorious service. An old hymn goes like this, “It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus’ Life’s trials will seem so small, when we see Christ, One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase, so bravely - run the race till we see Christ. 3) A Grand privilege - for we are walking in the footsteps of all the saints who walked before us. They were persecuted for their faith and so we should consider it as a great privilege when we suffer for Christ. Saints suffer for righteousness sake, are in good company!
Dear friends, may the Lord encourage us to be steadfast in our faith, even when hard times come.
*PRAYER* : Dear Lord, let me consider it a great pleasure when I am ridiculed and persecuted for my faith in You for You have promised that great will be my reward in heaven. Let me feel privileged to walk in the footsteps of the saints who were before me, and glorify Your name. Amen.
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