Blessed are the Persecuted: Matthew 5:11-12Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ‘Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.' Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way, they persecuted the prophets who were before you.Jesus makes it clear that if we live according to the beatitudes, persecution is to be expected. Suffering is inevitable. Jesus is not saying: 'Don’t be surprised if suffering comes'. He's saying 'be surprised if it doesn’t'.
