Verse 10 is literally translated, "Blessed are the ones who have been and are now being persecuted for the sake of righteousness." He knew his disciples would pay a price to follow him. And they did.

They were "insulted" (v. 11), subjected to slander, gossip, and ridicule. Their enemies would "falsely say all kinds of evil" against them.

Jesus warned them, "When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another" (Matthew 10:23).

They were thrown to the lions, burned at the stake, wrapped in pitch and set alight, sewn in the skins of wild animals and thrown to hunting dogs, tortured on the rack, burned with molten lead and hot tongs. Part of their bodies were cut off and burned before their eyes, hands and feet scorched, children and families executed while they watched. That's what it cost many of them to follow Jesus.

Those who are serious about their faith still pay a price to follow Jesus.

70 million believers have been executed across Christian history for no reason except that they would not renounce their faith in Christ.

More believers were martyred in the 20th century than in the previous 19 combined.

It is predicted that 500,000 Christians will die for Christ this year around the world.

But here's the upside: There is great joy in suffering for Jesus. We are "blessed"--the word promises joy transcending all circumstances. We are to "rejoice and be glad" in Christ.

There is great reward in suffering for Jesus: "great is your reward in heaven." Paul agreed: "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18). He promised Timothy, "If we endure, we will also reign with him" (2 Timothy 2:12).

There is a great community for those who suffer for Jesus: "in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." You stand with 20 centuries of God's greatest servants when you suffer for your Lord.

You can ask Carlos Alamino if it is worth it to serve Jesus in Cuba. You can ask Oscar Dellet, our other Cuban pastor and partner, the same question. You can ask the thousands who pack their churches, knowing the government is watching. You can ask those whose children are given the poorest schools, the hardest military assignments, the worst medical care because their parents follow Jesus. But they won't even understand the question.

Baptism is an especially courageous thing to do in Cuba. It is the time when a believer goes public with his or her faith. Family may reject them; the community may shun them. It is a hard thing for many.

When I participated in a mass baptism during one of my trips to Cuba, I was standing in the middle of the lake when the first person was brought to me. Her husband carried her across the water. I assumed that she was afraid of water, or unable to swim. He handed his wife to me, I baptized her, and handed her back to him. When he picked her up, then I saw that she had only one leg.

Was this public statement of her faith, at all costs, at any price, worth it to her? The joy on her face told me all I needed to know.