Matthew 5:11-12 The Joy of Being a Target
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Matthew 5:11-12 The Joy of Being a Target
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About this listen
In short, the passage teaches that a person who is a "target" of persecution for their faith in Jesus should feel joy, not because the suffering is pleasant, but because it is evidence of three things:
1. A Divine Blessing: Jesus begins by saying, "Blessed are you..." He frames the experience as a spiritual blessing, not a curse, but only when the persecution is false and endured on his account.
2. A Future Reward: The primary reason for joy is the promise of what is to come: "Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven..." The joy is rooted in the assurance of this future, eternal reward, which far outweighs the temporary suffering.
3. An Honored Identification: Jesus connects this suffering to a legacy of faithfulness: "...for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Being a "target" in this manner places the believer in the honored company of the prophets, who were also persecuted for speaking God's truth.
Key Points of Matthew 5:11-12
Here is the text of the passage (NIV), followed by a breakdown of its meaning: