I thought this morning I'd run this verse on here in a few translations, because they are slightly different.
"Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble." (The Message)
"Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous--with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of your outward conditions) are you when people revile you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things against you falsely on My account.
12Be glad and supremely joyful, for your reward in heaven is great (strong and intense), for in this same way people persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Amplified)
"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." (KJV)
There are just some times when a different translation may bring different things to light, or it may simply be easier to extract a meaning. The one I like best here today is the translation from The Message. It expands on the original idea of feeling blessed for being persecuted. Look what it says here:
"What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable."We live in a world that's dying. Literally. Our family, friends and neighbors are all doomed to the most horrible eternity unless we can do something about it. So we try. We invite them to church, or to church activities, hoping that if they come to an activity they'll want to come to the regular church service. I have to tell you, that usually isn't the case. Those people who are unsaved, who don't know God, are not fooled. They'll come to your picnic or your party, because they know that it's a fun event- they know that they aren't going to get preached at. What they don't want to hear is that they are going to hell. They don't want to hear that they need Jesus, because they think they're doing just fine on their own. And church makes them uncomfortable because they'll hear these things. So they agree to go to your fun activity, hoping that if they accompany you once or twice, that you'll stop asking them to come to a regular church service.
But today, today you need to ask them even more. You need to stop inviting them to the fun stuff, and invite them to the real stuff. As much as you may think that you are being a pest to your neighbor, you need to never stop. They could start swearing at you and leaving things in your yard, but you need to keep on it, because that means you're making progress. Rejoice in the fact that your friend is uncomfortable hearing about Jesus- because that means that they know they need something, and perhaps one day the time will come when they make that all-important decision.
Be assured, the Lord sees what you are doing. God sees your efforts with your loved ones, he hears you pray for them day in and day out, and you will be rewarded for your diligence. And one day, the Holy Spirit is going to reach out a grab that loved one and weave his way into their heart and soften it. That day, will indeed be a day of great rejoicing, because it will be the day that your loved one, your neighbor, or your friend will become part of your family.
So rejoice in the persecution you may run into as you share your faith. It means you are having an effect, and you should keep at it. You have a whole army of heavenly citizens at your back cheering you on. Take heart in that, lift your head up and tarry on. Do your absolute best, and God will take care of the rest.
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