3. The Command to “Rejoice”
“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you” (Matthew 5:11–12).

“The crown of martyrdom has been thought to be the brightest that any of the redeemed shall wear…” (Albert Barnes) Following our Lord’s commands are difficult, some more at times than others, nonetheless, Jesus’s command to “rejoice” in the midst of suffering and trials is very challenging. It is easy to rejoice on the mountaintop of praise and thanksgiving, but quite another thing to rejoice in the valley of despair. Learning to truly follow this command means to be completely surrendered to His Lordship – no matter what the cost! It is a journey that will cost you your life.