Introduction: Blessed are the persecuted
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus delivers one of the most profound and challenging truths about following Him – blessed are the persecuted:
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others 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 so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” — Matthew 5:10-12 (ESV)
In the first verse, Jesus declares that those persecuted for righteousness are blessed. In the second verse, He clarifies that this righteousness is directly tied to Him—those who are persecuted because of Him will receive great rewards in heaven. This is because Jesus is righteousness itself (1 Corinthians 1:30).
Jesus also warned His followers that the world would hate them, just as it hated Him:
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” — John 15:18-19 (ESV)
Those who follow Christ should expect opposition. Just as a student experiences what the master endured, believers will share in Christ’s sufferings. Throughout Scripture, we see this pattern play out time and time again. Below are ten examples of saints persecuted for righteousness’ sake.
1. Abel – The First Martyr
Abel’s offering was accepted by God, while his brother Cain’s was rejected. Out of jealousy, Cain murdered Abel (Genesis 4:3-8). Abel was persecuted because he acted in righteousness before God.
2. Joseph – Persecuted by His Own Brothers
Joseph was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers and later imprisoned for refusing the advances of Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 37, 39). Yet, through his suffering, God raised him to power in Egypt to save many lives.
3. Moses – Rejected by His Own People
Though Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, he faced relentless opposition from both Pharaoh and his own people. They grumbled against him and even tried to stone him (Exodus 17:4).
4. Elijah – Hunted by Ahab and Jezebel
Elijah boldly confronted Israel’s sin, calling the nation back to God. Because of this, Queen Jezebel sought to kill him (1 Kings 19:2).
5. Micaiah – Imprisoned for Speaking Truth
The prophet Micaiah refused to tell King Ahab a lie, choosing instead to declare the true word of the Lord. As a result, he was struck and thrown into prison (1 Kings 22:26-27).
6. Daniel – Thrown into the Lion’s Den
Daniel remained faithful in prayer despite a decree forbidding it. For his righteousness, he was thrown into the lion’s den, but God miraculously delivered him (Daniel 6:16-23).
7. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego – Into the Fiery Furnace
These three refused to bow to King Nebuchadnezzar’s idol and were cast into a fiery furnace. Yet, God was with them, and they emerged unharmed (Daniel 3:16-27).
8. Jeremiah – Beaten and Imprisoned
Jeremiah faithfully warned Israel of impending judgment, but the people rejected his message. He was beaten, imprisoned, and thrown into a cistern (Jeremiah 20:2, 38:6).
9. Stephen – The First Christian Martyr
Stephen boldly proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah, and the religious leaders stoned him to death. As he died, he saw heaven open and Jesus standing at God’s right hand (Acts 7:54-60).
10. Paul – Beaten, Imprisoned, and Martyred
Paul suffered countless beatings, imprisonments, and shipwrecks for preaching the gospel. He ultimately gave his life for Christ (2 Corinthians 11:23-27, 2 Timothy 4:6-8).
Call to Repentance: Follow Jesus, No Matter the Cost
Blessed are the persecuted. Though persecution is difficult, Jesus promises that those who endure will be greatly rewarded in heaven. Suffering for Christ’s sake is a sign of true discipleship. If you have not yet accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, now is the time.
Jesus endured suffering beyond anything we can imagine, yet He remained without sin. He bore the punishment for our sins so that we might be saved. Though following Him may lead to persecution, it also leads to eternal joy. Blessed are the persecuted, whether your persecution is extreme like the examples above or not.
Will you choose to follow Jesus today?
“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” — Romans 10:9 (ESV)
Though you may suffer, you will be fulfilled, rain or shine, living a life for Jesus. He is worth it all.