Why Jesus Calls Us to ‘Rejoice in Persecution’ 🔥 | Matthew 5 Devotional (7-Step QT)

7-Step QT Notes

1. 🙏 Quiet Time

Pause.

Take a breath.

Ask Jesus to help you see what true blessing looks like and to give you joy even when following Him feels costly.

2. 📅 January 20, 2026

Today’s passage reminds us:

Real blessing isn’t about comfort or success—it’s about living as God’s people with courage and joy.

3. ✝️ Matthew 5:1-16

Jesus went up on a mountain and taught His disciples the Beatitudes, blessing those who live in humble dependence on God—those who are poor in spirit, meek, merciful, pure in heart, and persecuted for righteousness. He promised comfort, mercy, satisfaction, and the kingdom of heaven to them. Jesus also taught that His followers are the salt of the earth and the light of the world, called to live visibly for God’s glory so that others may see their good works and glorify the Father in heaven.

4. 📖 Key Verse

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (vv. 11-12)

5. 📝 Reflection

Yesterday we committed ourselves to boldly proclaim the gospel. Today’s passage tells us to rejoice and be glad as we live out that commitment. Insults, persecution, and criticism from others can certainly push us into suffering and hardship. Yet Jesus commands us to rejoice. How is this possible?

It is possible because we have already been given the gift of eternal life in the kingdom of heaven. By God’s grace—not by our effort or merit—we have been saved and adopted as God’s children. We trust our Father, who directs our steps and oversees our entire lives. Therefore, even if we face mockery, persecution, or rejection for the name of Jesus, we can still rejoice and be glad.

Beloved, if we truly believe that the Lord directs our steps (Prov 16:9), we can choose joy today as well. Let us remember that the Beatitudes reveal the greatest happiness awaiting those who belong to the kingdom of God.

6. 💬 What does this passage speak to you today?

  • When following Jesus becomes uncomfortable, how do I usually respond?
  • Where is God inviting me to choose joy instead of fear or discouragement?
  • How can my “light” shine in a way that reveals God’s goodness to others this week?

7. 🙏 Prayer

Lord, help me see blessing the way You do.

Give me courage to follow You, joy that isn’t shaken by circumstances,

and a life that shines Your goodness to everyone around me.

Amen.

Scriptures

📖 1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.

2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:1-16, ESV).

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