Jesus says in Matthew 5:10, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness…

Added: 2026-05-16

[00:00:00]Jesus saved the most countercultural Beatitude for last. Blessed are those who are persecuted [music] for righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. In Matthew 5:10, we read, "The Greek word for [music] persecuted is dioko, to be actively pursued, chased, driven out." This is not just a mild irritation. This is intentional opposition. And Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:12, "Anyone who desires to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." Not might be, [music] will be. But, here's what stops me every single time. The Beatitude ends with the exact [music] same promise as the very first one. "Blessed are poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." In Matthew 5:3, [music] the same promise bookends the entire Beatitudes. As if Jesus is saying the whole journey from the spiritual poverty to persecution is held together by one unshakable reality. His kingdom. And in 1 Peter 4:14, it says, "If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed because the spirit of glory and God rest upon you."