Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:10-12

The prime example of why there is a blessing associated with persecution is in the text:

…for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (v.12)

Virtually every one of God’s Old Testament prophets were persecuted. Several were martyred. And they were blessed by God—which is why they were hated by so many people!

Jesus said John the Baptist was the greatest of the prophets (Matthew 11:11). The other prophets foretold the Messiah who would arrive one day. John introduced the Messiah who had arrived already. And John was unjustly beheaded!

But the greatest Prophet of all was Jesus Himself, the One about whom all the previous prophets prophesied. Moses spoke of Jesus, calling Him a Prophet (Deuteronomy 18:15). Of course, Jesus is more than a prophet. He, the Messiah, not only pointed people to God, but redeemed God’s people, reconciling them to God! He is the eternal Son of God, our Lord and our Savior!

As our Savior, Jesus was persecuted throughout His ministry—and ultimately, He was crucified.

Two differences between Jesus and the other prophets who were martyred: (1) Jesus was not martyred. No one took His life. He laid it down that He might take it up again (John 10:17-18). (2) Jesus rose from the dead! (Mark 16:6).

Christians who are persecuted and martyred are blessed along with the Old Testament prophets. Followers of Jesus who are persecuted are blessed along with our Savior, Jesus!