Matthew 5:10–12

This verse stands apart from the seven blessings before it. They deal with what true disciples of the Lord Jesus are like and how they behave. Here the Lord speaks about the results of their righteous behaviour. As long as He does not reign as King of righteousness, people who live by God's principles and thoughts will face persecution and suffering.

Practical righteousness means living by the Word of God and His principles. The world values love of the truth, honesty, faithfulness and respect for other people too… But suppose an employer asked his Christian employee to hide the truth in a situation that was awkward for him. Suppose he asked him to tell a lie instead, or to help with a dishonest deal. What will happen when the employee says: "I can't do this, because it does not agree with the Word of God"? … Many a believer has lost his job because he would not share in the unrighteousness of this world.

So the two kinds of persecution in verses 10 to 12 bring in the double character we find in the letters — suffering for righteousness' sake, and suffering for Christ's sake. These are two completely different things. Where righteousness is the question, a person is simply brought to the point. If I do not stand and suffer here, my conscience will be stained. But this is in no way suffering for Christ's sake. In short, conscience is what comes in where righteousness is the question. Suffering for Christ's sake is not a question of open sin, but of His grace and its claims on my heart.

If we suffer for righteousness' sake, we are happy — and we are still more blessed if we suffer for His name… The Lord Himself makes this difference between suffering for righteousness and suffering for Christ (Matthew 5:10-11), and so does Peter (1 Peter 2:20; 3:17; 4:14).

Here the list clearly begins over again. The first blessing was, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven," and the next three were all marked by righteousness. Poverty of spirit is the first thing God works in a newly born soul… But here the point is not so much what they are, as what others make their lot. The last two blessings speak of what the world hands out to them. The first four are marked by righteousness within — the last three by grace within.

If you are poor in spirit, if you do not stand up for your rights, what do you get in this world? You get persecution. People laugh at you as a madman. Here is the difference between this world as it is now and the coming age when the King reigns: now righteousness suffers, then righteousness will reign. For now you must do good, suffer for it, and bear it patiently, because the kingdom is hidden and the King is out of sight… This suffering may come in many shapes — in your business, your family, or from your neighbour.

Let us be careful not to become persecutors ourselves. Some think there is no persecution except fire and sword. Yes, there is persecution of the tongue… You can kill a man in his good name as truly as in his body. A good name is as precious as costly ointment. To strike another person in his name is what our Saviour calls persecution.

Notice another difference in verses 10 and 11. In Matthew 5:10 it is "Blessed are they." In Matthew 5:11 it is "Blessed are you." When real suffering for Himself is in view, He drops the abstract wording as too cold. He makes it personal: "Blessed are you." Why? Because you are linked with Him now.

It is not now for righteousness' sake, but "for My sake." There is something still more precious than righteousness, and that is Christ. And when you have Christ, you can have nothing higher. Truly blessed to be persecuted for His sake!

Here the Lord does not speak of sufferings for righteousness' sake, but of abuse, persecution and evil words for His sake. This is connected with the Person of our Lord and the confession of His Name. Suffering for righteousness comes from our moral attitude and actions. Suffering for Jesus' sake comes from our confession of Him.

Our walk in the world should have the character of white linen. Sometimes people say: it is a good thing when people speak evil against you. The Lord Jesus said, "Blessed are you when others ... utter all kinds of evil against you." Yes, He did — but with the added words, "falsely" and "on my account." If it is for Christ's sake, and false, we can bless God for it. But let us make sure it is not because the garment is stained by the flesh. That would be to our shame, and a misrepresentation of our blessed Lord. In the same line with this is 1 Peter 4:14: "If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you."

Why is it "they" in verse 10, and "you" in verse 11? The one is doing the will of God, His revealed will. The other is suffering for the sake of the Lord Jesus, and that is a gift of God. Every true saint of God suffers with Christ — not to the same extent... And in a thousand ways we suffer with Christ, but it is not everyone who suffers for Him; that is a gift: "to you it has been granted for the sake of Christ, not only to believe in him but also to suffer for his sake."

By using the word "when" the Lord shows He is not hinting at something that may happen. He is pointing to a fact we should expect. Those who take the side of our Lord and Saviour, confessing Him openly and bravely, will reap contempt, mockery and scorn... Some meet such a confession with a pitying smile. But as soon as the believer shows he is a Christian by his conduct as well, rejection and hatred follow.

Suffering for Christ's sake is the result of speaking about Him to others. It is not merely a firm no when someone asks or tempts us to do wrong. It is an earnest heart that watches for every chance to speak about the blessed Lord and salvation... There are always plenty of worldly-wise Christians near us who check our zeal and hinder faithfulness — all under the fair name of prudence.

The last of the two rises to the highest. It leaves the abstract for direct personal words of love: "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you… on My account." This was suffering for grace in full. "Rejoice," says the Lord therefore, "and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven; for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

The disciples of the Lord should rejoice not despite the sufferings connected with their confession, but because of them. Confessing the Name of the Lord may bring disadvantages here on earth — which is not always the case. Even so, the reward He has promised in the heavens is far greater! To know that we walk in the footsteps of the Lord Jesus already gives us joy. The promised reward adds to that joy, and that reward belongs to heaven, not to earth.

Then at verse 11 He turned and spoke straight to His disciples. He told them in advance of a persecution they might meet for another cause… Earth now dropped out of view for them. Heaven alone lay before them. "The meek shall inherit the earth," however little that might seem likely then or now. But Christians are called out for heaven. What a change this revelation must have made in the hopes of the Jews! They waited, and still wait, for Messiah to appear in person and in power, to cut off their enemies and give them their land in peace, for good.

Deprived of an earthly inheritance, they will enter into a heavenly one. Revelation 20:4-6 shows them as a special company of martyrs, added to the saints of the first resurrection.

A Christian may lose his life, but not his reward; he may lose his head, but not his crown. Not that we can merit this reward by our sufferings. "I will give you the crown of life." The reward is the legacy which free grace bequeaths. What proportion is there between a drop of blood and a weight of glory? But though we have no reward by merit, we shall have it by grace. … A man who has to wade through deep water keeps his eyes on the firm land ahead. Christians wading through the deep waters of persecution should fix the eyes of their faith on the land of promise. Those who bear the cross patiently shall wear the crown triumphantly.

When you learn what pleases the Lord, and pleasing Him means doing what would displease everyone else, what does He say? "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven." It is heaven now, not the kingdom of heaven. And here is a lovely little word of gracious encouragement to the soul: "For so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." That is, you have got into good company; do not mind.

Too often we are fretful and impatient in the face of wrongs, and we want them put right in this day instead of waiting for "that day". Suppose the glory of that day shines before us in the faith of our souls. Then we shall not be tempted to rebel at the insults and wrongs that may be allowed. We shall "rejoice and be glad", for, says the Lord, "your reward is great in heaven".