Scripture to Read: Luke 6:22–23
For every follower of Christ, the words Jesus shared next can be difficult. God had Luke record in Luke 6:22–23, “Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. 23 Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets.” Most people do not want to be despised, rejected, or hated, but Jesus said that this world would definitely hate anyone who chose to follow Him. God had Peter write it this way in 1 Peter 4:12–14, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. 14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.” God does not want us to be surprised by hatred, but to rejoice that we get to share in the sufferings of Christ and to know that His Holy Spirit lives in us. The reward we are looking forward to is being eternally with our Lord in heaven, where we have the incredible privilege of fellowshipping with Him and serving Him as our Lord and King.
Challenge & Application
Why should we count it a blessing to be ostracized, insulted, and hated because of Christ in us?
Why should we not be surprised by the world’s hatred of us?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!