Persecution 101

   So we start with a basic reality of discipleship. When it comes to your role as a disciple there is a certain reality that Christ says you can expect. It is outlined by Jesus in His Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.”  (Matthew 5:11).
   This is the only “beatitude” that Jesus repeated twice (Also see vs.10a). This reinforces the reality that persecution should be an expected aspect of discipleship. The good news is that the pain endured for Christ will have its gain in heaven (See vss.10b & 12).
   Jesus also said this regarding our work for Him, words shared with His first disciples shortly before His Passion began: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have come to overcome the world.”  (John 16:33).
   Perhaps examples of persecution would help reinforce this “reality check.”  Here we consider the lives of the early disciples after Jesus ascension back to heaven. We find the apostles persecuted in Acts 5. Following a flogging, and being commanded not to continue to preach Jesus (vs.40), we find this reaction by the proclaiming disciples: 
“The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.” (vs.41)
   We cannot overloo ...