Beatitude 8 (Karen language) with Pastor Toke Han

Beatitude 8 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “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.

 

Let’s start our discussion with answering the question of what the word “righteousness” in Jesus’ teaching means. In Jesus’ view, righteousness is far more than the moral uprightness like being absent from lies, untruthfulness, or deception because he knows that no one is righteous in this world according to God’s standard (Romans 3: 10).

 

Righteousness is a moral and spiritual condition that qualifies humans to be acceptable to God. it is one of God’s attributes. Like a visa issued by a host nation qualifies travellers to enter it, righteousness entitles sinners to enter the kingdom of God and be acceptable to him. The only way to acquire the righteousness is in Jesus through faith.

 

Righteousness of Jesus is the gateway to the kingdom of God for sinners because he, in sinlessness and love, sacrificed his body as a ransom for the sins of the world so that God can forgive those who trust in him and his precious deeds. Therefore, Jesus alone is the master and the source of righteousness for sinners of the world. Why then can those Jesus mentions possibly be persecuted, subject to insult, and prone to be victims of false accusation? Who might be their persecutors?

 

The reason is because their lifestyle is different from that of the worldly people depicted by their higher valuing of righteousness than of the glory, possessions, and pleasure of the world. They don’t treasure what worldly people most treasure. They hate walking in the way of the darkness. And they don’t let anything ruin their loyalty to the Master of righteousness, Jesus. They view the world as temporal.

 

For instance, they don’t follow the path of worldly people by gaining victory over enemies through military or economic might, attempting to influence others with worldly power and authority, or seeking personal benefits by their own wisdom. Instead of returning evil with evil, they bless evildoers with prayers and sharing the gospel in love. Instead of taking revenge on the enemies for their vileness, they counter the wickedness with messages of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. When unable to escape the persecution, they persevere in humility and trust in the power of God.

 

That is why the self-righteous and the proud who do not believe their need of repentance become annoyed with sin-revealing messages of the gospel and turn against them in contempt, hatred, and violence. But according to Jesus, those who suffer persecution for the sake of righteousness and himself are blessed. What stirs their hearts to be willing to persevere persecution? Their greater level of cherishing the righteousness over desiring to escape affliction, their superior extent of fear of God over desire to escape persecution, and their higher degree of love over craving for worldly pleasure altogether help them to prepare themselves to face possible persecution. They are the ones who long to see the victory of God’s love over the enemy in the return of sinner to God in repentance.

 

Nowadays, many people are making a great deal of sacrifice for the good causes such as freedom, democracy, development, unity, and so on according to their differing values. They have their own value and worth. But if the purpose of our sacrifice is not for the sake of the victory of God, the kingdom of God that Jesus promises here is not yet for us. As the purpose of Jesus’ sacrifice is for salvation of many, the purpose for our readiness to endure persecution for the sake of Jesus and his righteousness should be upgraded correspondingly.

 

 Then benefit of our suffering will be entry to the kingdom of heaven, as Jesus promises.

 

 Nevertheless, as to endure persecution for the sake of Jesus and his righteousness is easier said than done, we first need to let the Holy Spirit of God change the place of our mindset from the earth to things above in heaven, from self-focused desire to other-focused desire. Then as we submit to his guidance and lordship of Jesus, the power of his Spirit will teach us how to deal with the opposition, and then strengthen us to endure the persecution in patience and love when necessary.

 

In this way we can be certain that our sacrifice will not be in vain. Besides, we will inherit the great reward in the kingdom of heaven, and then we will rejoice and be glad, as Jesus said.