You’ll suffer and like it! | Matthew 5:3-12

Jesus ends the Beatitudes with a hard blessing: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.” This sounds strange because persecution means suffering, and suffering does not feel happy in the moment. But Jesus is teaching His people to see suffering with an eternal mindset. Like sore muscles after hard labor, the pain can be received differently when it is tied to purpose. Suffering for Christ is not meaningless pain; it is an honor. This does not mean all suffering is blessed. Peter makes clear that suffering for wrongdoing is shameful, but suffering for righteousness is glory. Christians must not confuse being rude, foolish, harsh, or obnoxious with being persecuted for Christ. There is no virtue in being a “jerk for Jesus.” But when a believer suffers mockery, slander, loss, or humiliation because they belong to Christ and bear witness to Him with love and faithfulness, that suffering is precious in the sight of God. The sermon presses this personally through the memory of being mocked and beaten as a young boy for saying, “I’m a Christian.” The bruises hurt, but the humiliation hurt more. That kind of moment exposes whether someone is prepared to suffer for the name of Christ. Jesus’ parable of the sower warns that some receive the word with joy, but when persecution comes, they wither because they have no root. If Christians do not expect opposition, they may shrink back when it arrives. That is why believers must learn to count suffering for Christ as an honor before the trial comes. Children in school, adults at work, and Christians in every sphere need this mindset: popularity is not the goal. Jesus warns against living for the approval of all men. If the light of Christ is truly shining, the world may not always applaud it. Satan hates faithful witness, and the world often resists what exposes its darkness. But the Christian does not suffer as one defeated. To be counted worthy to suffer for Christ is a glory. Paul desired not only to know the power of Christ’s resurrection, but also the fellowship of His sufferings. The call, then, is to endure persecution, slander, and loss with joy—not because pain is pleasant, but because Christ is worthy, eternity is real, and suffering for His name is never wasted. Do you want to support Church of The Word? https://cotwstl.org/give/ Check out our church here! https://cotwstl.org/ #biblestudy #faith