What Jesus Did! 'Blessings for Those Abused for Jesus' — Luke 6:22-23

Thursday, March 30, 2023

[Jesus continued,] "What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man. When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, their ancestors treated the ancient prophets that same way."
— Luke 6:22-23 NLT

Key Thought

The New Testament writers operated under the recognition that Christianity would always be a rejected counter-culture. The values of the Kingdom are not the values of the majority of people. The demands of the King are thought to be silly, harsh, or judgmental by those outside the Kingdom of God. Because many of us live in a watered down, pseudo-Christian culture, we are sometimes surprised when Christians are ridiculed, ostracized, and persecuted. Yet a night or two of television, a day or two watching hearings on possible judge appointees, and even a casual conversation overheard at the office water cooler reveal that Christians who truly seek to follow Jesus are frequently the objects of disdain. Let's make sure that if we suffer for the name of Christ, it is because we have been people of godly character and respect, not because we have been obnoxious or self-righteous. At the same time, let's also remember that suffering for the name of Jesus is part of being a Christian. Rather than being surprised, let's view these troubles as opportunities to show the character and grace of our Lord! When we do, we can be sure of God's blessing!

Today's Prayer

O Lord, God Almighty, help me to be a person who brings your blessings to others. May that be true in my casual encounters with others. May it be true of those with whom I share my faith. May it also be true when I find myself under attack for my faith. May my life always reflect the generous grace and the committed character of my Savior, Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 6:22-23 NLT — "What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, March 30, 2023

A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Ephesus!'
"Dear Beloved, In today's reading, you will find Paul arriving in Ephesus. Ephesus was a remarkable and important city in Paul's world. But the people..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Romans 8:33
"Most blessed challenge! How unanswerable it is! Every sin of the elect was laid upon the great Champion of our salvation, and by the atonement carried..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Confirmation!' (He. 10:15-16)
"The Holy Spirit confirms this: This new plan I'm making with Israel isn't going to be written on paper, isn't going to be chiseled in stone [says the Lord];..."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Jesus Fulfills God's Plan' (Acts 13:32-37)
"[Continuing in the synagogue, Paul said,] "And now we are here to bring you this Good News. The promise was made to our ancestors, and God has now..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!