Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
—Matthew 5:10
It’s quite a jump from being a peacemaker to being a victim of persecution; from the endeavor to live peaceably to the experience of hostility.
The operational words of this beatitude are “because of.” It’s the cause of persecution that is in view. Jesus didn’t abbreviate the sentence to “Blessed are the persecuted.” He said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness” (v. 10); “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of me” (v. 11).
Those who experience harassment because of their antagonistic, contentious, hostile, irritable disposition shouldn’t file a claim on this beatitude. Such cantankerousness doesn’t meet Jesus’ qualifying “because of” attributes.
Jesus adds that if you are insulted because of him, “great is your reward in heaven” (v. 12). “Great” reveals the size of the reward; “in heaven” reveals its location.
Persecution is never pleasant.
But persecution for a heavenly reason is rewarding.