I am a Jesus pusher!!! Blessed are those who are persecuted” (Matthew 5:10). Remember that the verb is in the perfect tense that translates “have been persecuted.” He emphasizes this again in the next verse by saying, “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you” (Matthew 5:11). Jesus stresses this further in the following verse, “So they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:12). In all three of these statements, the Greek word “dioko” is translated persecute. This word has the basic meaning of chasing, driving away, or pursuing. It presents the picture of physical affliction or infliction of physical pain. This should not be a surprise to us since the third Beatitude speaks directly to our connection to the physical world. Our relationship with Jesus does not dwell in some mystical, unseen world. Because of His nature we embrace our physical existence in a new way. There are definite physical ramifications to being Kingdom people.
Our spiritual merger with Jesus will demonstrate itself in our physical world. The materialistic world around us is the platform for the demonstration of the Spirit of Christ within us. One cannot disconnect the physical from the spiritual. In a sinful world, one should expect that intimacy with Jesus in the spiritual would cause discomfort and negative results in the physical world. You must value Jesus in your life of greater worth than all the physical comfort around you! I have found Him worthy! I am a Jesus pusher!!
Wow! Since I heard Manley from a cassette earlier on my faith him teaching of book of acts then, I love the expository teaching. Cross style is the way. O! Teaching of peter denying Christ how I learnt. Thank you Stephen.