At the end of the beatitudes, Jesus pronounces perhaps the most paradoxical of all the beatitudes, “Blessed are the persecuted for righteousness’s sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” 2000 years later, Christianity is the most persecuted religion in the world. Persecution doesn’t seem like a blessing. Furthermore, Christ tells us to “rejoice and be glad,” likely the last thing on the mind of those who face regular persecution. This Sunday, as we wrap up our study of the Beatitudes, we will discover how persecution is a kingdom blessing, and how we are to respond.