THE BEATITUDES (continued)
Having completed the basic eight Beatitudes, these next posts will sum up the Beatitude series and address the final two verses that refer to those who are persecuted for His sake. Let us first deal with the final verses which are:
◊ Blessed are ye , when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice , and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. As discussed, these last two verses can be seen in either of two ways. As an extension and a part of the eighth Beatitude or as a separate statement at the end of this section. The meanings do not change dependent on where they are placed. Based on the usage of form previously discussed, we will call them a separate statement for our purposes. Including them as part of the eighth tends to ‘muddy’ the issues of persecution for righteousness sake and make it a part of this real persecution that did occur to those who were with him.
As this is not a essay on church history, we will not address those martyrs in the early church to whom this phrase definitely applies. It is addressed specifically to some who would suffer and all who are counted among those who did and perhaps do still suffer persecutions, or are reviled or who are spoken of evilly because of Jesus, for His sake. They are blessed and have great reward in heaven. Remembering that the Kingdom is within and that we can live in it now and do when we do the words of the Master we should see that if we are outward enough to be seen as His disciple and are persecuted for it, we have our reward here and now and forever more. What is it then but that we live in the Spirit, in peace and communion with God, confident and in full faith and knowing that we will have all that we need to continue.
To some it may appear that this is making light of the reward but this is not so. What greater reward can we want but the peace of God in our lives and to be free from pain and sorrow and fear, and, to be in full confidence of the power of God to keep us. If we want otherwise, if we long for earthly things in possessions and in family, then can we truly be His disciple?
Now we must ever be careful not to confuse that self righteous attitude of some in the Christian church who believe they are being persecuted for Jesus sake when in reality they are being persecuted because of a life style or because of a religious habit peculiar to their sect or denomination. These things are not for His sake but for the sake of the person in question. Living lavishly may be interpreted by some as the right result for giving oneself as a pastor or a minister and that is fine but if others are against that person for it this cannot be considered persecution for His sake; it is for the sake of that persons separate belief. The same is true for those who build church empires or whose church organizations invest millions in buildings and aircraft. All these things are choices made against the grain of popular religion and if others come against them it should not be seen as persecution for His sake. It is a choice on their part and their interpretation of the gospel’s teaching.
Who then can fall into this group. It can not be any who are ‘persecuted’ by other groups that are also believers in Christ for this would not be for His sake. It should not be seen in persecution by governments that persecute all religions equally. It should only be seen in instances and places where following Christ is the sole reason for the persecution; where others come against a believing Christian just because he is a Christian. Where this happens, there is great reward.
Let us begin now a summation of the great truths that are found in the eight Beatitudes. It is first of all a listing of virtues that, based upon the definitions that we have given them, set one apart from the world at large. Through the confusion of words, the translation of words and the changing meanings of words, it is difficult to come to a consensus opinion of what is really meant by the Master regarding some, if not all, of these Beatitudes. I have laid out some meanings that are away from the ordinary for some of these and in reviewing them the question should be asked for each; what did Jesus intend for us to take from this saying. In doing this we must remember that He plainly said that “they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand” (Matthew 13:13) and this is as true today as it was over 2000 years ago. There are bible critics and translators and commentators and pastors and evangelists around the world with differing opinions and teachings on what the Master said. Differences in interpretation have led us to many of the thousands of conflicting and sometimes competing Christian denominations.
So where is the truth? It is in the heart and the soul of everyone who takes the time to read the words of Jesus and to find in them their meaning to each and to discern the hidden meanings when they are revealed. I repeat here from another post the test for wisdom and for truth as expounded by James: “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17). These precepts are found everywhere in the bible but James put them together for us. Measure your interpretations against this list; you can’t go wrong.
Note on the Quote of the Day
This daily blog also has a Quote of the Day which may not be in any way related to the essay. Many of these will be from the Bible and some just prayers or meditations that may have an influence on you and are in line with the subject matter of this blog. As the quote will change daily and will not store with the post, it is repeated in this section with the book reference and comment.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:33) This quote is the key for all in pursuit of the Kingdom and the rewards noted in the Beatitudes and elsewhere and is the answer to having all of our needs met. It plainly says that all the things that you have need of are already known by your Father in heaven and if you earnestly seek the Kingdom, all is yours. Seek earnestly!
