“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." - Matthew 5:11-12
We can only imagine the life Jesus entered into in this world. The hatred between all the different groups had to be overwhelming. Romans ruled the “world” with an iron fist and iron swords. Jews hated the Romans—not to mention Samaritans, who hated them back. The Pharisees and Sadducees suffered no loss of love for each other—but they both hated the Roman tax collectors. The Zealots believed in all-out rebellion against Rome. The economic situation made robbery and theft a regular occurrence.
In that environment, Jesus taught a different lesson to all—one that did not sit well with anyone who heard it: “Love your enemies.” Well…that was unheard of in his time and not particularly well received. The world taught, “Hate your enemies,” and do everything you can to have them killed.
Fast-forward to the present day, and things have seemingly not changed much. People are somewhat more civil, but we still seem to hate our enemies. For evidence, simply go on social media and witness the exchanges between people. The mockery of Christians and the Christian faith isn't new, but it doesn't make it any less painful to endure. Ridicule, mockery, and insults come alongside following Christ. Scripture reminds us to expect it, yet our reactions don't always align. In this fallen and broken world, Jesus taught that we should expect mockery, we should expect persecution – not be surprised or offended by it.
The natural response of our fallen humanity to these types of persecution is also to be expected – pain, sadness, anger, bitterness, resentment, and even despondency. But as disciples of Christ, aren’t we called to be different from the rest of the world? We are the church - his ekklesia – those called out from the rest of fallen humanity.
Often, Christians' responses cause further mocking, insults, arguments, and defensiveness. But what if we choose to respond differently? Suppose instead of bitterness and vitriol toward the offenders—any offenders—we responded as Christ called us? In love. In forgiveness. In fact, didn’t Jesus teach us to respond with joy and not anger or bitterness?
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Stay Focused on the Gospel Message
In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul spent a great deal of time encouraging the people to forgive the one who had caused so much grief for their church (2 Corinthians 2.) Later in the letter, he made this statement about his ministry:
"We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited." - 2 Corinthians 6:3
The gospel is supposed to be good news, not a threat or battle. It should be appealing and attractive rather than incurring wrath. When we return anger for mockery or hatred for persecution, we drive people away.
Sinners were drawn to Jesus. He was accused by the legalist Pharisees of dining with “tax collectors and sinners.” (Matthew 9:11). Lepers came to him for healing – even prostitutes. He saved two tax collectors – evil sinners of their era – Matthew and Zaccheus.
If sinners are repulsed by the message of mercy, grace, and forgiveness, perhaps the error is in how we are delivering the message and responding to mockery and persecution. Jesus taught that we would be hated, that there would be persecution and mockery. He taught that we need to be prepared for it, standing in him rather than on our own.
“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.” - John 17:13-14
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Focus on the Fruit of Genuine Faith
People who profess to be disciples of Jesus are always being watched. Far too often, I have absolutely not lived up to the faith I claim. I can get razor-sharp and unkind when dealing with company representatives on the phone – or even others from whom I perceive mistreatment. My wife must frequently remind me to be kind – my ribs are permanently bruised from the elbow jabs.
I once had a pastor explain how to test myself: Imagine that immediately following your conversation, you decided to share the gospel with the person you’re speaking to. How would they respond based on their interaction with you up to that point?
I fail that test way too often. Even on social media, we should consider how we are representing Christ in our interaction with others. Even – maybe especially – non-believers.
There is another test that Jesus gave us. In warning us to watch for false prophets, Jesus told us that we can recognize them by their fruit. The lesson goes further:
"Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." - Matthew 7:17-18
Immediately on the heels of this lesson about the fruit of false prophets, Jesus said this about false disciples:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Matthew 7:21-23
Based on the fruit our lives are producing, can people see that we are genuine followers of Christ? When we gave our lives to Christ, he promised us to be filled with his Holy Spirit. As a result of that, Paul teaches the fruit of the spirit of Christ:
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." - Galatians 5:22-25
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What Is the Proper Christian Response to Mockery?
The Sermon on the Mount represents one of the few times Jesus did not teach in parables. Instead, he taught the crowd directly. While absolutely stating that he did not come to abolish the law or the prophets but rather to fulfill them (Matthew 5:17) – Jesus seemed to raise the bar to an unattainable level significantly:
“You have heard it said, you shall not murder – but I tell you, anyone who is even angry with a brother or sister has committed murder in his heart.” - Matthew 5:21-22 (paraphrase)
The era in which Jesus came to earth was filled with hate for one’s enemies, yet Jesus sought to change that attitude:
"You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?" - Matthew 5:43-46
In his mercy and grace, God gave us a solution – out of our sinful lives and into eternal life with him. Through his sacrifice on the cross, Jesus gave us the means to be reconciled to God and to restore a loving relationship with him. Yet we are not mindless drones – forced to do his bidding and live our lives like robots. We have the ability to choose. We can choose good over evil. We can choose right over wrong. We have chosen to live like Christ.
Throughout his ministry, Jesus was mocked and suffered intimidation and harassment. But upon his arrest, Jesus told his disciples: “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53) Then, as he was tortured and whipped by the Roman soldiers, and as he hung on the cross, he was mocked and spit on. Yet, what was his response? Not protest (Isaiah 53:7) – but instead, forgiveness.
"And Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.'"- Luke 23:34 ESV
As disciples of Christ, we are to be imitators of Christ. When we encounter mockery, persecution, ridicule, or personal attacks, we are called to respond in joy, patience, and the love of Jesus Christ. Human beings can do no eternal harm to us – they can harm only our worldly pride and pleasure. We are to keep our eyes focused on the good Lord – and, with his strength, respond with joy, patience, love, and gentleness.
The unbelieving world may – and will – laugh and make fun of our commitment, but make no mistake: God is pleased when his followers live in obedience to him. His desire is that we use that obedience to reach others with the saving knowledge of the Gospel message – that he sent his son Jesus Christ to seek out and save the lost.
Let us never let our own interests, our own pride, or the ridicule and mockery of others snuff out the light of truth—the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” - John 13:34-35
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Greg doesn’t pretend to be a pastor, a theologian, or a Bible expert, but offers the perspective of an everyday guy on the same journey as everyone else – in pursuit of truth.
Greg can be reached by email or on Facebook @ Greg Grandchamp - Author.
Originally published Friday, 02 August 2024.