REJOICE AND BE GLAD???

The God of the Bible works in ways that are unthinkable from an earthly perspective. The LORD Jesus, speaking to the people, which is famously called, ‘The Sermon on the Mount,’ has this to say – “12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” – Matthew 5:12.

If someone were being persecuted, then the normal earthly response would be to, defend the persecuted people, and take the fight to the enemy’s camp, and defeat and destroy the enemy. However, the Bible seems to go counter to the normal response.

The LORD is exhorting us to rejoice when being persecuted. He also is asking us to pray and bless our persecutors. This runs exactly opposite to any normal human response. In fact, the response which the LORD is speaking about, is visibly demonstrated by our Redeemer Himself, in the way he conducted Himself during His earthly ministry.

Let us joyfully face all our troubles, struggles and pain, in the way our LORD and Saviour has taught us, and the He Himself had walked on. Not an easy path, for it runs counter to our human nature, and our natural response. That is precisely the point – the fallen human nature, and its thinking, has no value for a Christian…it is worthless. Therefore, let us walk the way of our LORD.