“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets that were before you.” ~Jesus (Matthew 5:11,12)
Many of us can’t imagine the persecution and atrocities occurring against fellow Christians even as I type these words. Who kills people with such heartless, ruthless hate and vengeance? Aren’t we a civilized world in the new millennium?
It is a reminder that evil, pure evil still exists in our world. We cry out in prayer against this injustice. Pleading for God to stop this evil. Our hearts break and we are horrified. And we should be.
But Jesus said to rejoice when you are persecuted for your faith.
I’ve not experienced insults thrown at me nor have I been falsely accused of doing evil things. If any “persecution” or insults have come my way they were whispered behind my back.
I’m sure there are some Facebook friends who tire of my faith laden postings. I’ve probably lost some along the way. I don’t notice those losses, but I’m always aware of the loss of a blog follower or dwindling author page “like” numbers. But how pitiful is that “persecution”? I wouldn’t call it persecution–not when children are being beheaded for their family’s faith in Jesus.
[tweetability]I hold close to my heart that we believe in a God who will not let such sacrifice and persecution go without a great reward.[/tweetability]
Salvation is free.
“Come all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me that your soul will live.” (Isaiah 55:1-3 NIV)
Aren’t we thankful we can’t earn our way to heaven?
Salvation is free but rewards are earned.
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets that were before you.” ~Jesus (Matthew 5:11,12)
He told them to rejoice and be glad because of their reward. Our English translation tempers the true meaning of Jesus’ words.
The Greek word translated as be glad is Agalliao and it means:
“To exult, rejoice with exuberance, often to leap for joy, show one’s joy by leaping, skipping, or dancing, denoting excessive or ecstatic joy and delight.” (Key Word Study Bible)
What should we do if we experience insults or persecution or slander for our faith?
Dance.
Understanding the underlying meaning of the Greek word put’s legs on my “be glad” and movement in my heart that sways past the heartache to the beat of the promise.
As I pray and fast on Thursdays petitioning for this evil in our world to be obliterated, though I’m not facing persecution, as I pray for those who are and who’ve lost their lives, I’m going to dance.
I will dance for those who no longer can because great is their reward.
Have you faced persecution or insults for your faith in Christ?
With Joy,
