Jesus expands his teaching on suffering for righteousness’ sake with the next two verses (Matt. 5:11-12). He appears to be directing this to his disciples (and to us) with the form “blessed are you”. He creates a picture of persecution that goes beyond the physical oppression we normally imagine and adds in verbal assaults. Jesus also links himself with the path of righteousness by changing the reason we would be persecuted – from suffering for righteousness’ sake to suffering on “my account”. Allegiance to Jesus also includes following the path of righteousness.

What strikes me most about this teaching is what my response is supposed to be: “rejoice and be glad”. With verbs so similar, it seems Jesus is being emphatic about what our response is to be. Paul and Silas in the Philippian jail seemed to be rejoicing – “about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them” (Acts 16:25 ESV). Paul said in Philippians 3:10-11 that he wanted to know Jesus and the power of his resurrection, and to share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death. Why does Paul want to share Christ’s sufferings? “That by any means possible I [Paul] may attain the resurrection from the dead.”

Paul had an eternal perspective that he used to view his suffering. Jesus puts a similar perspective forward here – “your reward is great in heaven”. The reason for joy and gladness is due a change in what we value. We now value being “counted worthy” to suffer (Acts 5:41); we are sharing a special union with Christ through it. We know “that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us … into his presence” (2 Corinthians 4:14 ESV).