Reflection: Verse 11 opens like one of the eight beatitudes (“Blessed are you …”), but it doesn’t end like the other ones (“for they shall be comforted … for they shall be filled, etc”). How are these sentences connected to what precedes? If the eight beatitudes of Matthew 5:3-10 describe the life of those who belong to God’s kingdom (humble, single-minded, genuine, selfless, etc), these next few verses describe how that life will be perceived by onlookers—sometimes not very well.

Even the most genuine Christian won’t win the love of everyone. Sometimes God’s people are insulted, lied about, and so on. Some folks in Australia seem increasingly comfortable mocking Christians. Just recently, I was searching online for a news article that mentioned something I was involved in, and I accidentally came across a different article that mocked me as a conflicted lightweight bigot! Nice! I’m pretty sure that’s not wholly fair. And if I hadn’t been reflecting on Matthew 5 at the time, I reckon I would have got depressed and outraged. But, instead, I felt some of the joy Jesus speaks about in these verses: “Rejoice and be glad …”

Following Christ—no matter how sincerely—won’t always “win friends and influence people”, but it is always a participation in the mind of God. And for that we can always be thankful.

Question: Think of the most unfair remark you’ve received as a Christian (or heard said against Christians): What was your response? What should be your response?