Articles
Blessed Are the Insulted and Slandered
Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. (Matt. 5:11)
One of the hardest things to deal with is slander and malice. Words are powerful – more powerful than a child’s quip can dismiss. Knowing that His disciples were to be left in the world after His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension, Jesus reminded the disciples that such ill treatment was to be suffered in light of divine blessing.
Jesus Himself suffered as the master, and we as His servants can expect no less. In fact, one of the three times “Christian” is used in the New Testament identifies that with that title comes the assurance of blessing. “But if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.” (1Pet. 4:16). Despite the ill treatment of the world, we must rejoice and glorify God’s name!
Notably, a promise follows this final beatitude. “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (v. 12). What an amazing perspective! Jesus continues the Sermon on the Mount by stating how Christians’ witness to the truth could and should spread. This witness necessitated that Christians suffer. With what attitude do YOU view your suffering for the cross of Christ?
