Persecution

I greet you in Jesus’ precious name! It is Saturday morning, the 22nd of March, 2025, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today.

We start in the Gospel of Matthew 5:10:

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

What a beautiful reward awaits those who have been persecuted for their faith. I looked up the Oxford Dictionary to find out the literal meaning of the word, “persecuted” - it means that they are abused, they are victimised, they are ill-treated, they are tormented for their faith. Yes, they are intimidated. 

At the moment, we are so sad when we see in the news what is happening around the world, where Christian churches are being burned down in India and Christians are being martyred, and what have they done wrong? Nothing at all. Just because they say they are followers of Jesus Christ, they have to pay the ultimate price. We see in the DRC, people getting beheaded for their faith, hands tied behind their backs, a horrific thing. We see the Christians being martyred in Syria. Lord, please have mercy on Your people. 

But you know, I want to talk about a different kind of persecution which is maybe even worse. It happens sometimes in your home, oh yes, it happens at work, it happens at school, young girl, when your friends start to victimise you because you will not do what they do. You will not sleep around, you say, “I will wait for my husband until my wedding day” and they torment you and they persecute you when you will not partake of drugs and alcohol because you say it is against your faith. The young men make a fool of you, they say, “You are weak, you are a sissy.” That is persecution. What about when it happens in your very home? 

I knew a young boy who used to love going to church, but his family actually tormented him, they mocked him every time he got on his bicycle to go to church. “Where are you going? Off to church again?” He stood alone, he would get on his bicycle and even go to the evening services with a little light on the front of his bike, but he kept on going. He was persecuted in his own home but it made him strong, and I want to tell you that through his standpoint and because he never wavered, his whole family came to Christ.

We need to understand that there is a price for our faith. It cost Jesus Christ His life on the Cross of Calvary. So you are asking me a question, “What do we do about it?” Well, there is only one thing we can do about it and it is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

Pray without ceasing.

Pray for your persecutors, pray for those who torment you because they are blind. When Jesus died on the Cross, He said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” When they stoned Steven outside the city gate, he said, “Do not hold this sin against them today.” Let us pray for the persecuted church.

Jesus bless you and goodbye.