I am a Jesus pusher!!! “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:12). Jesus begins with the Greek word “chairo,” translated rejoice, a verb in the present tense. This plants the activity of rejoicing directly in the moment of persecution. This is a “word group” coming from the rood word “char.” “Chara” is a noun; it is the Greek word for “joy.” “Chairo” is the verb for “rejoice.” We must also note that “charis” is the Greek word for “grace.” From this comes the verb “charizomai” meaning “to bestow favor.” “Charisma” also comes from this root word. Therefore, there is a connection between “rejoicing” and “grace.”
Jesus congratulates us on being helpless (Matthew 5:3). This enables us to be embraced with the unlimited resource of His Person! This is the structure of the Kingdom of Heaven. Rejoice in this state of grace. In constant response to our helplessness (mourning) we are filled with comfort from the Comforter (Matthew 5:4). What grace is bestowed upon us, rejoice! Jesus’ nature flows through us producing meekness of life; it allows us to relate to our physical world as He originally intended (Matthew 5:5). Rejoice in such a measure of grace! We hunger and thirst for Him. We are filled (Matthew 5:6). His filling does not dissipate; we hunger and thirst for all He reveals; we are filled again only to hunger in that filling. We leap from one revelation to another; oh, rejoice in such a privilege of grace. Is there persecution? Will there be persecution? Do trouble and trials come our way? No doubt they do, but in light of all we experience in Jesus, are we not blessed? Rejoice! Do difficulties confront us because of this “righteousness?” They certainly do! Merger with Jesus is this state of grace. I am a Jesus pusher!!!