Why Should it Be Easy?
More than I think at any other point in my career I am hearing a great deal about how it seems the church and the people of the church are being singled out, picked on, discriminated against, persecuted, and otherwise being treated very wrongly simply because of the Christian faith. I must admit that these discussions are, as my grandfather would say, “Making me tired,” because what I see being reflected in the absolute anger from so many good men and women of the faith is - unintentionally - betraying some of the core teachings of Christ.
As we have seen already in our foray into the Sermon on the Mount - and will encounter again - Jesus has some very difficult things for those of us who choose to follow him. While, yes, Jesus’ words are a source of comfort, we must also be aware that a great deal of what Jesus has to say in the gospels should give pause even to the most faithful and devout amongst us. He wields this two-edged rhetorical sword in today’s beatitudes, found in Matthew 5:10-12, which are as follows:
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
First, let’s take care of the easy stuff. Jesus is making it quite clear those who experience persecution for righteousness’ sake (a concept not unfamiliar to those who grew up in the Jewish tradition - including Christ himself) find a home in the kingdom of heaven. Even for the most basic of believers, this concept makes sense due to all Christ says about being fully devoted to God.
HOWEVER, where I think so many good men and women of the Christian faith can easily and quite understandably miss the breadth and depth of this specific beatitude is in what else is implied. A few quick things I believe so many easily miss when talking about how the perception that the church in our society is under persecution because of all the restrictions that have come from our public health officials and political leaders in the wake of COVID-19 include:
Simply by making these statements, Jesus is basically guaranteeing there are those who will experience persecution for righteousness’ sake. I wonder sometimes if we are missing a very valuable lesson from Jesus when we so adamantly get angered at what we see as persecution of the faithful. Please do not misunderstand me - I am well aware of, and fully support, the understanding that under our political system there is a freedom of religion that is an important part of our fabric as a political entity.
I wonder, though, if sometimes we are so passionate about demanding our rights to be free to worship that we miss the message of the savior who tells his followers more than once that theirs is a challenging life that will not be readily accepted by the world in which they live.In allowing for the understanding there are those of the faith who will be persecuted for righteousness’ sake, Jesus is calling the faithful to understand theirs is not an easy path to walk. There is, I believe, a good reason why the church throughout history has flourished the most where it has had the least political and/or sociological protection. Even to this day, the church is growing the fastest and with the most passion, where the faithful literally take their lives into their own hands by declaring Christ is Lord.
I wonder if sometimes we might accidentally and unintentionally fall into a false sense of security because we have the right to practice or not practice our faith, and thus become more emotional and passionate about the RIGHT to practice our faith than actually practicing the faith to which Jesus calls all who hear his voice.For any of the faith who believe they are experiencing persecution for righteousness’ sake, Jesus brings a word of comfort in reminding us all that those who speak the truth about God to the world have experienced unjust persecution at the hands of others. In other words, if you are being persecuted, remember that you are in good company and that God is aware of the suffering of the saints.
I guess what I am trying to say is, “Why do we think it should be so easy?” Or, to put it another way, “Why are we so surprised when we see what we perceive as the persecution of the church?” What Jesus is reminding the hearer of this word is that we have been given the strength to endure any persecution because our ultimate focus and joy is in Christ alone. With this promise lighting our path, maybe it will help us have a little more helpful perspective on the idea of being persecuted (actual or perceived.)
Grace & Peace,
Lamar