It is not a coincidence that those
listed as being blessed after the peacemakers are those who are persecuted
(Matt 5:10-12). To be a peacemaker in a world that has learned the perverse
value of confrontation is no easy task and will surely draw opposition. But in the
face of such opposition Jesus is saying that the correct stance to take is to
be one of peacemaking.
Today in the west and in the UK especially there is much talk in
conservative Christian circles about discrimination. As the long enjoyed
privileges of Christendom are slowly – and ever so gently – stripped away some
feel that this is the beginning of persecution. They may well be correct. But
in the face of this change what should our reaction be? Jesus says we should ‘rejoice
and be glad’ for our reward in the eternal is far greater than the losses in
the temporal.
The persecuted are blessed because ‘theirs
is the kingdom of heaven’. This, I believe, is not some sentimental
encouragement that things will be fine once we inherit a kingdom somewhere above
the clouds; rather it is a promise of the power of Kingdom authority in the
here and now. Is Jesus saying that with persecution comes greater spiritual
authority? The early church faced fierce opposition but also saw significant
growth. The church in China today is apparently experiencing
the same phenomenon. It seems that the 2nd century church father,
Tertullian, was correct when he said, ‘The blood of the martyrs is the seed of
the church’.
But to rejoice in face of harassment,
ridicule, and especially physical violence is not a value that comes naturally
to us. It is another upside down Kingdom value and if real persecution is
coming we need to learn it quickly.
Posts on my Tumblr site willI now appear here. Tumblr's ability to post by text and email will help me blog even when away from my desk!
Some thoughts following my visit to Occupy London.
October 27th 2011
Ok so there’s plenty to disagree with but this is such a good song.
October 12th 2011
There are so many draining things we can focus on during the day: how we appear to others, how much others do or don’t respect us, how we can get people to do what we want. But once we become aware of the negative impact of these areas of focus, we can get clear on - even excited about - who we really want to be … We can shift our focus toward qualities like mercy, gentleness, courage, and the many others that bring true joy in our lives and in the lives of others.
