In Matthew 5:10-12, Jesus closes the Beatitudes by reminding His people that faithfulness to Him brings the hatred of the world, yet even this is a mark of belonging to His kingdom. Far from being a strange interruption to the Christian life, Jesus teaches us of its blessing as we follow Jesus. When enduring hardship for Jesus’ sake, Christians are called not to revile or retaliate. Instead, trusting that their reward is secure and that they stand in the company of Christ, we can rejoice, resting in the promise of our heavenly reward.