The last of the eight Beatitudes, Jesus spoke in The Sermon on the Mount, seems the strangest.  Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness because theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”    So, what’s to like about persecution...?

Think about it this way:  One Bible translation uses the word ‘happy’ instead of ‘blessed’.  Happy are the peacemakers...!  Happy are those persecuted for righteousness’ sake....!  I’m not convinced that ‘happy’ is a good translation, however, Jesus certainly singles out people in The Beatitudes who are to be envied... who are to be congratulated.  So does it make sense to say that people who are persecuted are to be envied... and that those who are mocked and reviled are to be congratulated...?  Does that make sense?

In the second century, Polycarp, a church leader, was ordered to renounce his faith in Jesus Christ by burning incense to the Roman Emperor.  He refused, saying, “For eighty-six years I have served Him and He has done me no wrong.  How then can I blaspheme my King and my Saviour?  You threaten me with fire that burns for a season and after a little while is quenched but you are ignorant of the fire of everlasting punishment that is prepared for the wicked.  Polycarp was burned at the stake.  When the fire didn’t quite end his life he was stabbed to death with a spear.  So, is Polycarp to be envied?  Should we congratulate him?  Jesus did say, “Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness...!”

Historically there’s a very long list of men and women who suffered persecution – from Stephen, the deacon, in Acts 10, to Christians beheaded by ISIS in northern Iraq some years back.  In 1685 two Scottish women, Margaret Wilson and Margaret McLachlan were sentenced to death for their religious convictions.  At low tide they were tied to stakes so as to be drowned by the incoming tide.  So, are Wilson and McLachlan to be envied?  Should we congratulate them?  Before we too quickly say, “Of course not!” it’s worth pointing out that Margaret Wilson died singing.

Do you see how radical and controversial these sayings of Jesus are?  Jesus is actually saying to those who are persecuted for doing what is right: Congratulations with your persecutions!

Do your workmates hassle you because you’re a believer?  Congratulations!  Does the boss discriminate against you because you’re a Christian?  Felicitations!  Do your neighbours make life difficult because you’ve told them about your faith in Jesus?  Happy are you!

Let me say three things to put this into perspective.

First, Jesus is not pronouncing this blessing on all opposition, mockery and oppression.  There’s nothing in persecution per se that makes it worth celebrating.  To the contrary... sometimes opposition and hostility is due to our own bad choices.  Jesus clearly speaks of persecution for what is good and right.

Secondly, there’s a connection here.  Earlier Jesus pronounced a blessing on those hungering and thirsting for righteousness.  Now he’s pronouncing a blessing on those who suffer in the cause of righteousness.  That shows that this last Beatitude is different.  The previous seven all addressed the kind of people God blesses... what these people look like: they are humble; the meek; the peacemakers; the pure in heart.  Now in the last Beatitude it’s about what happens to these people as a consequence.  They are often persecuted.

An example?  A company has been doing the wrong thing for a long time and getting away with it.  You as an employee have often spoken out against this abusive situation because you hunger and thirst for righteousness.  It’s got to the point where you feel you have no other choice than to become a whistle-blower.  But now the company turns on you, blackens your character, you lose your job and spend years on welfare.  Your hunger and thirst for righteousness has led to you being persecuted for righteousness.

Thirdly, we are talking about persecution for the sake of Jesus Christ.  We identify with Him and with His cause.  When we realise this we can do what Jesus says as he elaborates on this Beatitude.  He tells us – not just to grin and bear it – He tells us to rejoice and be glad.  We’re identifying with Jesus and His kingdom – and that connects us with a long tradition of prophets and apostles who were oppressed and persecuted.  But we can cope with that – gladly – because it assures us that we are on the winning side.... a part of the eternal Kingdom of Jesus Christ.

John Westendorp