Matthew 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Verses 10-12 should never be watered down. This is persecution for righteousness’ sake. This is persecution for Jesus sake. This is persecution like that of the prophets. This cannot be equated with the trials and struggles that are common to all men. Yes, we do have trial and we do have struggles. Yes, we do suffer in this world. Yes, God can be a very present help in our times of trouble. Yes, we glorify God and magnify God in all things he delivers us from. Bless the Lord and praise his holy name, that we don’t have to walk alone on this pilgrim’s journey. It’s wonderful that he walks with us when things aren’t going well. In sickness, in distress, in sadness, in pain, God comforts us and stays close beside us.
All that is glorious, but it has nothing to do with persecution. Persecution is what they did to prophets. Jesus is talking about those that “…had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.” (Hebrew 11:36-38) This was the life of the prophet, of which I am not worthy. I cannot equate this manner of life with my afflictions which are common to man, and many times my own doing.
There is a theme through the first few verses of this chapter. It’s a theme of brokenness. Jesus is encouraging his disciples to be poor in spirit, to mourn, to hunger and thirst, to forgive, be pure in heart, to make peace, to endure persecution. Jesus is preparing his disciples to live as he asked them. Jesus said, “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Mark 8:34) There is a theme of denial; self-denial where we deny ourselves our will; God-denial where God denies us our will; and world-denial where the world denies us our will. Jesus said, “…not my will, but thine, be done.” (Luke 22:42) David said, “I delight to do thy will, O my God.” (Psalm 40:8) Our will must be denied, for God’s will to be fulfilled.
But concerning God’s will, Jesus admonishes us to “Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven.” Another theme that runs through the first few verse of this chapter is that of waiting and hoping. The theme of latter rewards. Don’t put your hopes and dreams into today, for the tomorrow is a brighter day. The best is yet to come. Today is temporary. Tomorrow is forever. Our rewards are not to be enjoyed today. Our treasures are not laid up on earth. What runs through the first few verses of this chapter is the river of eternity. It is the blessed hope to which we wait for. That celestial city lies upon the horizon. Soon we’ll tread street of gold. Soon we’ll dwell in that better country. Soon we’ll be comforted. Soon we’ll be made pure. Soon we’ll have peace. Soon we’ll see God. O the joy of knowing His kingdom is our home, the inheritance of the children of God. Soon we’ll possess what those faithful prophets pointed to many years ago.
Peter who sat at Jesus feet would many years later write, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” (1 Pet 4:12,13) Let the life of denial be not strange to us, and let the reality of eternity and the will of God be our guide.
This world is not our abiding place. Our continuance here is but very short. Man’s days on earth, are as a shadow. It was never designed by God that this world should be our home. Neither did God give us these temporal accomodations for that end. If God has given us ample estates, and children or other pleasant friends, it is with no such design, that we should be furnished here, as for a settled abode; but with a design that we should use them for the present, and leave them in a very little time. (Jonathan Edwards)