"Blessed are Those"

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10 ESV)

Yesterday, Charlie Kirk was murdered. If you are not familiar with Charlie, he was a conservative and a believer in our Lord Jesus Christ. Charlie spoke to our young people about faith in Christ and was a great apologist and debater. YouTube is filled with his videos. If you have not listened to Charlie Kirk, you should.

We will mourn the loss of Charlie Kirk like we do every martyr. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake.” Charlie was a devout Christian, and for that, we have hope in the resurrection for him. He was persecuted for righteousness' sake and never denied the Lord. He was constantly furthering the gospel.

Throughout history, martyrs have been blessed, starting with Stephen. The apostles were martyred. Polycarp, imprisoned by Rome, refused to deny Christ and was executed. John Huss, a pre-leader of Luther in the Reformation, was burned at the stake. William Tyndale, strangled and burned at the stake, was charged with heresy, and the list goes on, and on.

Throughout history and continuing today, many have witnessed the persecution of Christians. And we should not be surprised, as it was prophesied by our Lord who said, “Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.” (John 15:20).

The world is in control of the prince of the power of the air. There is darkness everywhere, but there is a light that the darkness cannot overcome. This is the Light of the world, the Word that became flesh, our Savior Christ Jesus. He will come again, and the wicked will be cast into the pit of fire (Revelation 21:8).

Pray for the family of Charlie Kirk. Pray that his wife remembers the teachings of the Bible she and her husband studied and has faith in the resurrection. Pray for their children that they will come to know the great man their father was, and a martyr for the Lord.

Father, we ask that you care for the friends and family of Charlie Kirk, and that he is now seated at the marriage supper of the Lamb. In Christ’s name, Amen.

Grace and Peace.