Good morning. It is Thursday, April 18, 2024. A protest shut down both the freeway in Chicago and the Golden Gate Bridge this week when Palestinian supporters conducted a coordinated protest that took place across the country. These were willing to risk a multiple-car pile-up, risk arrest, and risk their own lives for the cause of the Palestinians. Right or wrong, this makes me ask myself: “How willing am I to suffer, to risk, to take pushback for the cause of Christ?” Read on …
Today's Reading:
1 Samuel 20,21; Psalm 34; Matthew 5
Scripture
“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 who were before you.” (Matthew 5:11-12)
Observation
I noticed that Jesus wasn’t talking about how we react when insulted or persecuted. He doesn’t say we will be rewarded if we keep a stiff upper lip. Three words define it all… “because of Me.”
We can get insulted because we did something foolish or reacted negatively when we should have been quiet. However, this portion of scripture defines it more clearly …. “because of Me.”
Application
I can get offended or insulted and think that I’m suffering for Jesus. But in reality, I may suffer due to a bad decision or selfish act. When others look askance at me, I must first assess myself. However, Jesus speaks here of the derision we might receive when representing the cause of Jesus Christ. We don’t often get persecuted in direct relation to witnessing for Christ or sharing the Gospel. However, if there is any disdain because I am living for Christ, it’s reason to rejoice!
- When a young lady refuses the advances of a person with subversive motives or withstands the peer pressure to do what is wrong, it’s not reason to feel rejected. It’s reason to rejoice!
- When we choose God’s ways over what our society demands and we get opposition, it’s not a reason to mope. It’s reason to rejoice!
- When a student speaks up in class against unbiblical philosophies and gets pushback… it’s not a reason to compromise! When that happens, rejoice because he will have just reached the level of a modern-day prophet. “For in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” It’s reason to rejoice!
Prayer
Father, I choose to live for You in every area of my life. When I mess up, help me be courageous enough to repent and do what it takes to be restored. On the other hand, give me the fortitude to stand up for Christ and be counted, identified, and even marked as a devoted follower of Jesus Christ! That is a big reason to rejoice!
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