Bible League: Living His Word 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. Verse 10 for today is the eighth and final Beatitude that Jesus gave in His Sermon on the Mount. Verses 11-12 are Jesus' commentary on it. The word "beatitude" refers to a state of being abundantly blessed and extremely happy. The Beatitudes are declarations of blessedness over those who embody what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. The eighth Beatitude says that disciples who are "persecuted because of righteousness" are blessed. What does it mean to be persecuted because of righteousness? It means that one is treated badly for accepting the righteousness that comes by faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:22) and for living the Christian life. The Christian life can lead to persecution because it is a threat to other ways of life. Those who are persecuted because of righteousness are willing to endure the bad treatment in order to stay faithful to Jesus. The reason why disciples who are persecuted because of righteousness are blessed is that "theirs is the kingdom of heaven." The "Kingdom of heaven" as used by the Apostle Matthew is a virtual synonym for the "Kingdom of God." Those who have the Kingdom of God are blessed because they are citizens of the Kingdom and have all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of citizenship as a result. The persecuted also have a great reward waiting for them in heaven when they die and, we may presume, in the new heaven and new earth yet to come. The reward is not specified, but it must be great because the recipients are likened to the great prophets of old who were persecuted. It seems counterintuitive for Jesus to say that the persecuted are blessed. The Apostle Paul, however, said that "our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18) and "our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all" (II Corinthians 4:17). If you are enduring persecution today, be strengthened and encouraged by the great reward and the eternal glory it is achieving for you. Bible in a Year Old Testament Reading2 Samuel 19, 20 2 Samuel 19 -- Joab Causes David to Cease His Mourning; David Restored NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 2 Samuel 20 -- Sheba Rebels; Joab Kills Amasa; Revolt Ended NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Luke 21:20-38 Luke 21 -- The Widow's Gift; Signs of the End of the Age NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion And I know that whatever God does is final. Nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God's purpose is that people should fear him.Insight What is the purpose of life? It is that we should revere the all-powerful God. To revere God means to respect and stand in awe of him because of who he is. Purpose in life starts with whom we know, not what we know or how good we are. Challenge It is impossible to fulfill your God-given purpose unless you revere God and give him first place in your life. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Psalm 119:49 Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.Whatever your especial need may be, you may readily find some promise in the Bible suited to it. Are you faint and feeble because your way is rough and you are weary? Here is the promise--"He giveth power to the faint." When you read such a promise, take it back to the great Promiser, and ask him to fulfil his own word. Are you seeking after Christ, and thirsting for closer communion with him? This promise shines like a star upon you--"Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled." Take that promise to the throne continually; do not plead anything else, but go to God over and over again with this--"Lord, thou hast said it, do as thou hast said." Are you distressed because of sin, and burdened with the heavy load of your iniquities? Listen to these words--"I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions, and will no more remember thy sins." You have no merit of your own to plead why he should pardon you, but plead his written engagements and he will perform them. Are you afraid lest you should not be able to hold on to the end, lest, after having thought yourself a child of God, you should prove a castaway? If that is your state, take this word of grace to the throne and plead it: "The mountains may depart, and the hills may be removed, but the covenant of my love shall not depart from thee." If you have lost the sweet sense of the Saviour's presence, and are seeking him with a sorrowful heart, remember the promises: "Return unto me, and I will return unto you;" "For a small moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee." Banquet your faith upon God's own word, and whatever your fears or wants, repair to the Bank of Faith with your Father's note of hand, saying, "Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope." Daily Light on the Daily Path John 1:29 The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!Hebrews 10:4-7 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. • Therefore, when He comes into the world, He says, "SACRIFICE AND OFFERING YOU HAVE NOT DESIRED, BUT A BODY YOU HAVE PREPARED FOR ME; • IN WHOLE BURNT OFFERINGS AND sacrifices FOR SIN YOU HAVE TAKEN NO PLEASURE. • "THEN I SAID, 'BEHOLD, I HAVE COME (IN THE SCROLL OF THE BOOK IT IS WRITTEN OF ME) TO DO YOUR WILL, O GOD.'" Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth. 1 Peter 1:18-21 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, • but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. • For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you • who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. Revelation 5:12 saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing." New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. 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