Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11,12)
"Jesus Freak" is more than just a song. Its a title, a badge of honor, a mock word. For almost 2,000 years Christians have been called names. From troublemakers to fanatics to Bible-bangers, Christians have been labeled again and again by the enemies of the gospel.
Even the title Christians probably started out as a taunting title. According to Acts 11:26: The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch....
The word Christians literally means little Christs. In other words, when unbelievers mocked the disciples, they did so by calling them mini-Christs- i.e.-Christians.
Can you imagine the scene? The New Testament believers are doing acts of kindness, demonstrating a lifestyle of love and boldly sharing the gospel of Christ. Suddenly, not praise but mocking begins: Hey, look at all the mini-messiahs running around. Theyre like little Christs! Just who do they think the are... the second coming of Jesus?
What would you do? What did the early believers do? Retaliate? (Shut up! Get a life!) No! They took that mock word Christians and wore it like a badge of honor! They were proudly labeled as little Christs.
In fact, Jesus says that we are actually "blessed" when we are persecuted. The word "blessed" communicates the idea of having inner joy. So, Jesus is commanding us to be joyful when we are being torn down.
Doesn't sound easy does it? The key here is to remember two things:
1. When you are persecuted for your faith, God keeps a record of those times and adds to your reward account. Persecution in itself does not bring us joy, but knowing that the persecution is earning us rewards does! That's why in spite of a temporary razzing, we can be joyful because of the perspective of eternal reward.
2. When you are persecuted for your faith, you are in great company- the prophets ("For in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.) In other words, when people put us down for being "little Christs", we are in company with the heroes of the Bible. That's why in spite of a momentary bummer, we can be joyful because of the perspective of historical honor.
Hey- Jesus Freak, dont be ashamed of being tagged! When people are making fun of you, don't retaliate- be joyful! Wear your mock word as a badge of honor and trade it in for a crown of righteousness in heaven someday!
Questions:
1) What are some ways youve been mocked for being a Christian?
2) How did you respond?
3) How should you have responded?
4) How can you be more joyful when you face persecution?
Application:
Read Hebrews 12- commonly called the "Hall of Faith"- these are the folks who were persecuted, but withstood the pressure.
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