Matthew 5: 11-12 “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.
I was watching a show the other night and a person was attached to a machine that sent impulses to shock them at a certain level if they answered a question wrong. The person hooking them up to the machine told them if the pain got too bad they could just push a red button to crash the whole test. The funny that happened was the very first level of the shock caused the person to hit the red button and end the test. They couldn’t even get a good reading on the person taking the test because they anticipated it being way worse than it was and pushed the button before the pain actually began hurting. It showed the person was a little paranoid about the test and also that the person being tested was reading more into it than what was actually happening. Reality was compromised by perception of what was to come.
We are in a time in our world where we want everything at our beckon call and don’t want to have to deal with any objection or even the possibility of questioning of truth. Well News Flash!! Since the Word of God never lines up with the world we will have those who don’t want to hear anything different than what they are thinking. They will not only push the red button to stop the pain of the truth, but the first time the truth of the Word is different than what they are wanting to hear they will push the button in their mind and heart to keep from dealing with the supposed pain of the real truth. So we have warped into a whole new realm of rejection for the Word of God. Red Button pushing is at an all time high as those running from God and those who don’t believe in God are on heightened alert to keep from even allowing any absolute truth from exposing their sin. And the desire to live for Christ becomes an uncomfortable reality for those who are running from God so…. they push the Red Button and thus avoid the truth. The truth is still the truth, but they don’t want to hear it because it is different than what they want to hear.
In the sermon of the mount Jesus told the people to count themselves blessed if people put them down for standing for Him. He also said they will speak lies about Jesus to keep the truth from being heard and seen in their lives. Jesus also gives His conclusion about what is happening in verse 11. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. When the truth gets remotely close they push the truth button to keep from hearing it. Even if this truth is shared in love they will try to strike out against the one bearing the truth, but in reality they are running from the message and trying to stop the messenger. Jesus continues on in verse 11 saying 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. We are in GOOD company for sure and that company is the prophets and witnesses of the faith who have had to deal with this very thing down through the ages.
Conclusion – You are blessed when people put you down because of the message of Christ. They are not putting you down, but just pushing the truth button because they are scared of having to change. In reality, the very thing they fear in truth is the very thing that gives them “real” life and happiness. The filter they have to punch through is the indoctrination from a lost and hopeless world and that filter is strong, but not stronger than the power and draw of the Holy Spirit. John 6:44 says No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. God has the power to break through the worldly filter that compromises the message of Christ and show true freedom and salvation to those who need the truth. Then it is up to them to accept that truth and surrender to God.
It is no accident that this scripture comes right before the declaration by Jesus that we are to be salt and light to a lost and darkened world. The truth will be heard if we will just share it. Time to share the basic truth that Jesus is calling all to Him for salvation and “that is the real truth.” True life begins at the moment of faith and salvation. No need to push the button and avoid it, just let it change a life from lost to saved.
The Pilgrimage continues…..
David Warren
Comments