Amazing God, amaze this dear reader in their needs and challenges today in a way that glories You; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Here's our text for today: Matthew 5: 10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
William Barclay wrote what are perhaps the best commentaries on the New Testament called The Daily Study Bible. They've been republished and a company even paid others to do the Old Testament in his style. But to better understand some passages I like to see what he wrote about, and today's text was no exception. Listen to three areas that being a Christian in the first era might bring suffering: 1) In your work. Barclay asks if a stone mason would want to work on a temple being built to a pagan god? Do you choose a living over loyalty? 2) Being a Christian might disrupt your social life. If your next-door neighbors were pagans, as was the case in the first century for many believers, they might invite you to a feast with this invitation: "I invite you to dine with me at the table of our Lord Serapis." Serapis was one the gods most commonly worshiped during that time. Could/Should a Christian feast at a table set for a pagain god? 3) Being a Christian might disrupt your home life. We've seen this even in our era. One person loves the Lord and to be in worship; the other does not and may even mock his/her spouse for their devotion.
What would you do? To answer that, ask yourself, what did Christ do for me?
PRAYER: Loving God, in many ways we are so free to do as we want, we forget You. And for many of us, sometimes it seems easier to forget You than run the risk of ridicule or scorn for the sake of You. Forgive me those times and let me choose loyalty and faithfulness over any other thing. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
