This week I am working with this beatitude: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of God.” (Matt 5:10)
I think this is passage needs to come with a reminder that true persecution finds you, you don’t find it. And if an aggression against you is “micro”, it is best to assume it exists only in your imagination.
In our present culture, many people go to great lengths to FIND persecution, as small as a facial expression or as big as an entire “system”.
Because there is something seductive about being a victim.
When I was in high school, I was the class nerd and a notorious goody-two-shoes. One Friday night I was sitting in the student section of the bleachers for a home basketball game when a police officer caught the attention of me and my classmates as he made his way up the steps in our direction.
The officer stopped, pointed in my direction, and yelled, “You! Come with me. Right now.”
I looked over my shoulder to see who was in trouble and took a moment to realize that “You!” was me. I had no idea what this was about, but I wasn’t about to disobey a police officer, so I followed him down the stairs and out of the gym.
My classmates thought it was hilarious. “Ooooh. Steve’s in trouble now.”
Once we reached the lobby, I asked what the problem was and the officer told me that someone had fingered me as having thrown a cup of soda down onto the court.
But not only had I not done the crime, I hadn’t even witnessed it.
The officer believed me and told me I could return to the game.
I remember taking two steps back toward the ongoing game, but then I stopped, turned and walked outside the gym. I would wait out there until my friends came looking for me after the game.
Because, in my mind, even better than seeing the end of the game with my friends was being the guy who was unfairly ejected from the game.
So I know this firsthand: There is something seductive about being persecuted.
But persecution is only appealing if it is largely imaginary and there’s a crowd available to witness your suffering!
That is NOT the type of persecution Jesus had in mind.
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