I'm old enough to remember the days when people answered their phone.  These days, with caller ID, you can screen your calls and answer only when you feel like it.  "Unknown Caller" seldom receives a warm reception at my house.  Now technology has taken rejection to an entirely new level.

Today's New York Times tells us about the PhotoPhone, a device produced by GE which links a digital photo to a phone number.  You can load up to 100 photos, which are then displayed on the seven-inch screen when their corresponding number calls.  The next time someone doesn't pick up, now I can feel even more rejected.

Relational challenges are a part of life, but those who follow Jesus can expect to pay an even higher price.  We have been seeking the true happiness he offers by exploring his Beatitudes.  Today we continue our study of the eighth: "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:10).  We've seen that sacrifice for Christ leads to great joy and to great reward.

Now we learn that suffering believers join a great fraternity: "in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you," Jesus continued.  Hebrews described those who suffered for serving the one true God: they were "tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection.  Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison.  They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword.  They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated--the world was not worthy of them" (Hebrews 11:35-38).

Every disciple but John was martyred, and he was exiled and imprisoned.  Seventy million believers have died since for following Jesus.  When we suffer for Christ, we join a great fraternity in the faith.

Last, suffering  believers inherit a great kingdom: "theirs is the kingdom of heaven."  The first beatitude made this promise; the last repeats it.  When we suffer for Christ we prove that he is our king, and we join him in his kingdom.  2 Timothy 2:12 promises: "If we endure, we will also reign with him."  Revelation 20 describes those who stood faithful to Christ in the face of extreme persecution: "They came to life and reigned with Christ" (v. 4).  We will suffer for a short while, and then reign with Jesus in his kingdom forever.  When you have a chance to stand for Jesus at a price, remember that your courage will be rewarded far beyond its cost.  We'll conclude tomorrow.

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