eFollowingJesusJan17 - Pacifists and Persecution (Matthew 5:9-12)

   Jesus promises not just marvelous blessings, but (more darkly) the pledge that sticking close to him will put you at odds with people who will hurt you.  How did he expect to attract a following with such bleak prospects?

   Yet in a fallen world where evil thrives and people hanker for the trivial, we will be bang heads.  Throughout history, Jesus' followers have been despised, lost jobs, been executed - but have found immense joy in it all, the delight of being swept up in the adventure of Jesus, the pleasure of truth.

   Nowadays, you will be ridiculed if you push for peace.  In politics, TV and personal life, our society resorts to force to settle conflict.  But Jesus said "Blessed are the peacemakers."  Peacemakers make peace.  They are not passive; they do something; they engage the other and never tire of laboring for reconciliation.  Jesus (the Prince of peace) made peace, and so we never flag in our zeal to pray and diligently strive for peace - in the world, the community, our homes, and our hearts.

   Lord, I will not be surprised when I encounter unpopularity or ridicule; I expect being near You will bring suffering.  Make me an instrument of Your peace.    

James

james@mpumc.org

Sunday's sermon on Matthew 4:18-25 may be heard on our web site.

I've just had published a new book on this passage:  The Beatitudes for Today (if you'd like to probe more deeply).

Here is the full text of Matthew 5:9-12 -  9: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10: "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11: "Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12: Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The full eFollowingJesus series (thus far!) may be found on our web site.