Matthew 5:10 – 12

¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

What encouraging verses! The promise of the kingdom of heaven for those who are saved through Jesus’ death and resurrection and belong to God. But wait, life is not going to be so smooth along the way just because we have a future inheritance of great reward. These verses always leave me with mixed feelings. The vast contrast between our lives here on chaotic earth and a future of peace in heaven. 

The whole of the Sermon on the Mount paints a picture of what awaits us in heaven, where what God wants done is done. It inspires me to reflect on what to expect here on earth and not be surprised when there is opposition to God that I get caught up in. But it also helps me to understand that living a life worthy of Jesus’ sacrifice means I have to embrace different values and do things differently to what the world expects. I need to look to Jesus on a daily basis for guidance. 

So, rejoice and be glad and pray for your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ they depend on the Grace of God to live different lives until the day they reach heaven. 

Sandra Hinrichsen