Happy are the persecuted, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matt. 5:10) That’s one way of translating what Jesus says in the final “beatitude,” and it points to a central teaching of the Bible – happiness is found, not in our outward circumstances, but in our connection with God, and with God’s purpose.

Happiness is found, not in our outward circumstances, but in our connection with God. Click To Tweet

This is why most translations use the word “blessed” instead of “happy,” because it makes clear that what Jesus promises is not a cheery feeling (what people often think of when they think of “happiness”) but the deep joy and fulfillment that come from fellowship with God.

Many Christians are suffering persecution today. This past weekend, a group of Coptic Christians protested in Cairo, calling on the government to uphold their rights. For the past several months, there has been some sort of attack on Egyptian Christians about once every ten days. Christian homes were burned in a town in upper Egypt. A Christian kindergarten was burned in the town of Minya. A priest and a nun were murdered in separate incidents. Such persecution is repeated in many places in our world.

This is why Jesus spoke about persecution – because He knew it would be the experience of his followers for generations to come. Yet it is in the context of persecution that Jesus gives one of his most startling teachings. When you are persecuted, he says, “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:12)

When in the midst of our faith journey we are experiencing tough times, we can nevertheless find reason for rejoicing – when we look to God in faith and commit ourselves to God’s call. The prime example of this is Jesus himself, who faced enormous opposition, insult, and threat, but who said that he had come to us “so that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be complete.” (John 15:11)

In short, we find deep and lasting joy, not in pleasant circumstances, but in our faith and devotion as followers of Jesus Christ. The apostle Peter, who himself encountered considerable tribulation, summed it up well: “God has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ . . . . In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have to suffer various trials . . . . You believe in Christ and rejoice with a glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (I Peter 1:3,6,8-9)

Sunday’s Scripture Readings:
Matthew 5:1-12
I Peter 4:12-19

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About the Author

Dr. David A. Palmer has been the senior pastor at the United Methodist Church of Kent since 1995. He has a B.A. from Wittenberg University, a Master of Divinity from Duke University, and a Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary. A native of Wooster, Ohio, he has served three other churches in east Ohio before coming to Kent. He and his wife, Mavis, have three children.