TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
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. Matthew 5:10-11
Read: Matthew 5:10-13
Listen: Matthew 5
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Jesus knew what his disciples would face. He knew some of them would be imprisoned, tortured and even killed for sharing the Jesus-message. Yet, knowing that, he tells them the persecuted are blessed. Jesus is trying to help them see that the more they embrace the values of the kingdom, the less they will fit into the kingdom of this world. Jesus knew persecution would happen to him and to those who followed him.
Since the time of Jesus, Christians around the world have suffered persecution. Christians today disappear, are imprisoned, are economically isolated or are killed around the world. Because of their beliefs, they endure many types of pain. While we don’t face the same pain for following Jesus, we may encounter different pain. We may find ourselves experiencing the pain of a broken relationship because of different values, the pain of being passed over for a promotion because of our integrity or the pain of angry words because of our view of sexual boundaries. When we suffer this type of pain, we can take solace in the fact that Jesus suffered and promises those who suffer a reward in heaven.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Pray for persecuted Christians around the world. Ask for the persecution to stop. Ask God to give those suffering persecution the strength and ability to endure it graciously. Pray that you would have the wisdom to know how to live out your beliefs and the strength to endure any pain that might bring.
NEW TESTAMENT READING PLAN
Join us this year as we read through the New Testament.
Today’s reading is 1 Corinthians 16.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
