REJOICE YE IN THAT DAY

The LORD Jesus speaking to the multitudes, has words which are “strange” and “surprising” for a common man – “23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.” – Luke 6:23

It is not known from the Scripture, what the multitudes were thinking about the radical and revolutionary words of Jesus Christ. What Jesus spoke  is nothing short of radical and revolutionary!!!

He is asking His disciples, including you and me, to REJOICE and LEAP FOR JOY and that our REWARD IS GREAT…. The reason for such a celebratory attitude is what makes His words radical. The reasons are found in Luke 6:22 – “22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.” The persecution of the disciples of the LORD Jesus Christ.

Jesus further emphasises the same; rather reconfirms His words and what He is asking from His disciples in Luke 6:27-29 – “27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, 28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. 29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.”

Therefore, we have to REJOICE and LEAP FOR JOY, despite whatever we are facing from the world, because of our faith and obedience to the LORD Jesus. Christian values, ethics and principles are exactly opposite to the world and it’s standards. Hence, the persecution is inevitable, and a foregone conclusion. May the LORD help us.