Command of Christ-Persecution

“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Mt 5:12

Jesus told us that if we followed Him the world would hate us just as it hated Him (John 15:18). Jesus also said that the world does not really hate us, but actually hates Him. (John 7:7). Knowing what we would face, Jesus told us how to handle the situations that would arise; actually He gave us a command. Jesus told us that when we face persecution we should “rejoice” and “be glad”. Why should we have this attitude in the face of persecution? The answer is simple. We have a great reward awaiting us in heaven. The time we spend here on earth is only like a moment, if we look at our future time with Christ. The goal of this life is not comfort and safety, but the hard work that Christ has given us. To spread His great message of hope that is the gospel. Today much of Christianity is about me and how God is there to bless me in this life. Yet what we see over and over in the Scriptures is that we are here to fulfill God’s plan of redemption for His children. So, when we see the world acting against us either as an individual or as a group, don’t get upset or angry, rejoice and be glad!! For in heaven there is a great reward awaiting us!!