Matthew 5:7-12
“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.” vs. 11
Jesus told his disciples to expect persecution if they were bold enough to take up his cross and walk in his way. And that’s exactly what happened! In the early years, many disciples were derided and ridiculed…and many suffered and died for being believers. Even today, in parts of the world, to be a Christian is a risky business and can sometimes cost people their lives. Persecution remains a possibility for any person of faith…and emerging technologies have offered new opportunities for those who delight in torture and slander. Who would have thought that innocent people could be driven to suicide through Facebook and Twitter attacks? Who could have believed that people could lose their jobs and reputations because false stories are being circulated through social media? The anonymity of the internet has emboldened the liars and the sadistic among us. Today is All Saint’s Sunday, a time to remember that the cruel don’t have the last word. They never have and they never will. Thank God for the saints, living and dead, who have remained faithful to the Lord Jesus and who have worked to show mercy and bring peace to the earth. Their pure hearts have been a source of hope in this world of decadence and exploitation…and some of them even use Facebook to share the gospel of grace and love!
Thought for the Day: Why do social media exchanges turn nasty?
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