“Blessed
are you when people insult you and persecute you and falsely accuse you of all kinds of evil
because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven, for
in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Matthew 5:11-12
Lord, I have to
admit, I should have expected this, but I simply wasn’t prepared. You’ve warned
me it would happen and yet I think deep within my soul dwells a sense of naivety
– I didn’t want the possibility to exist. I have discovered just how blind to
the reality I’ve been.
Several
days ago, I was leaving work and greeted a person who works in another
department. He is a confessed agnostic at best, viewing Your existence as only
a possibility; defining Your character as removed and isolated from the
day-to-day events in our lives. The concept of Your desiring interaction with
us has no meaning for him.
His history with
Christianity is unpleasant and this well-read skeptic appears to spend a lot of
time reading and researching what he believes to be evidence of all religions’
ill effect on the world.
Master, as You
know, I’ve had numerous conversations with this young man in the past and I’ve
shared my testimony with him, not pressing for conversion, but sharing, as best
as I’ve been able, how You have changed my life.
Up
to this point, It’s been me answering his questions. I had a genuine hope that,
in spite of whatever injury from others he has experienced in the past, maybe,
just maybe I could show him how a true relationship with You (as opposed to
some ceremonial ritual or declaration) can impact one individual.
But
on this particular day, the young man lashed out. “I believe You Christians
actually want the rest of us to go to this hell you say exists.
He
went on to condemn me based not necessarily on my actions, but on what he
claimed were the insensitive acts of an unjust God: War, famine, earthquakes,
poverty, and of course on the examples of those who have committed atrocities
in Your name. He went on to pronounce me guilty by association with anyone who
claimed their actions to be authorized by You. Some issues he listed (the
Crusades being an obvious lightning rod), I’ve had struggles with as well.
I wanted to
explain to him that I know, as often happens; righteous beginnings are
frequently twisted into disastrous results through mankind perverting Your
intentions and desire. I wanted to share
mutual regret with him, but at that moment, he stepped over the line, “I reject
a Judeo Christian God. I’m offended by you and your God who would allow such
cruelty to others.”
The anger in him
towards me and You was palpable. I think at that moment Adonai, I acquired a
better appreciation for the persecution of the Jews and martyrs of
Christianity. I felt sadness for both my adversary and myself – there would be
no opportunity for exploring with one another, Your incredible loving kindness.
When the young
man made his declaration, blaming the world's condition on me and You, my God, I
wanted also to blame someone! Was it him? Was it those who have misrepresented
You over the course of history.
Then a thought
hit me. Am I indeed at fault? I need to be alert and honest from the standpoint
that I do engage in actions, speak words and frequently leave things
undone that adversely affect others. I don’t need to be guilty by association –
I’ve got my own baggage and regrets I can easily confess.
OK, YHWH, I
understand my involvement in all of this, but what got my attention was that I
found myself also being offended by the young man’s accusation against You. I
wanted to speak truth, into the man – that You do NOT have baggage; You instead
have a plan to dispose of my baggage. You are God, not an offending party.
Then I realized
that, all he was measuring You by―what most people measure You by―are the
actions and inactions of Your followers.
In life, I will be the offender – it doesn’t matter, only You matter and I need to
remember that. As a Christ Follower, with You completing my incomplete and
pathetic efforts, I’m viewed by others through a prism of contempt, measured by
a standard I can neither live up to nor escape: Only you Yeshua have measured
up – and for that you were crucified!
Messiah, even in
that moment of death, you offered forgiveness. I may not ever be forgiven by
the young man, but the model I’ll follow is yours – I forgive him. With Your help I'll work at not being offended – instead, I’ll strive even more to become a testimony to others of
Your love as You are a testimony of love to me!
Do
I feel persecuted? Yes. It’s a strange sensation for I believe with all my
heart that I am striving to better serve my fellow man as You, my God have
taught me to do. I would hope that the world would recognize that desire. I
would hope they’d recognize that same striving by Your people in the land of
Israel and that of Your people in the land where I currently reside and in the
hearts all of Your people.
Whether by
choice or blindness, the world of nonbelievers doesn’t recognize it. I need to
accept it is the world’s problem – not Your intent.
I
get it, Lord. It means I not only must accept persecution as a reality, but
that, the more I strive to follow Your way, the more I’ll be blamed without
forgiveness for both my negligent actions and for those of my fellow
believers. I’ll even be blamed and
judged harshly for believing in You and for serving righteously.
So, how will You
have me follow Your intent Father – show me more – how do I live the
lifestyle; dying to self yet living for You in such a way that world is
inspired rather than offended? Spirit – I understand, it is You who inspires.
My role is only to obey.
Persecution
appears to be increasing in Israel, here, and throughout the world toward Your people.
Lord, Your will is not always easy to follow, even as you, Yeshua demonstrated
on the cross. So I ask for one thing from You to help me, to help all who
offend through their belief in You.
Please give us
Shalom to endure.
Mark C.
