Last week, calendars were kept in alignment as the quadrennial leap day occurred. For some, like Mary Forsythe of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, it was a special day. This 100-year-old lady was born on leap day, so, technically speaking, she celebrated her 25th birthday this past Thursday.
The Bible also speaks of a special “leap day,” but not one that occurs only every four years; it occurs whenever one stands for faith during opposition. Concerning such an occasion, Jesus stated, “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets” (Luke 6:22-23). While any committed saint is ready to stand firm in the day of trouble, it is quite another idea to “leap for joy” on such an occasion. How can one be joyful in such situations?
First, it is important to note the persecutions Jesus mentions. American Christians, as well as those in most other Western nations, sometimes feel hypocritical when talking of persecution. For certain, while believers in other real-time situations are being imprisoned, beaten, and even killed, it is hard to claim persecution from the comfort of a church pew. However, though any of the examples of suffering listed by Jesus could lead to such violence, the terms themselves denote what any Christian may suffer, regardless of whether it comes to blows. Being hated for one’s association with Jesus, ridiculed for taking a stand for right, excluded from “the group” for spiritual principles are all noted by Jesus as suffering for righteousness’ sake. This means when a young Christian is ridiculed for maintaining sexual purity, he or she is suffering; this means when a woman or man is excluded from a “friends” group for refusal to gossip or backbite, she or he is suffering; this means that on any occasion where a stand for right brings about the bad will of others, righteous suffering is taking place. While one may think this is minimal in comparison to a Christian left bloodied for beliefs, Jesus does not minimize any stand for righteousness that is taken in His name.
Still, the question remains: How does one leap for joy in these dark times? The Apostle Peter may have had this in mind when he wrote, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed” (I Peter 4:12-13). Earlier in his letter, he wrote, “Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin” (4:1). While Peter’s primary point may be that one who has suffered and died as Jesus has ceased from sin’s temptations, it is also true that one who suffers for the cause of righteousness will not likely get involved with the wickedness found outside of faith in Jesus. Ultimately, when a person suffers for Jesus, he or she has become closer to Jesus. Suffering helps a believer to empathize with the Lord when He was ridiculed, minimized, and considered an unworthy outsider. This should bring joy. While no one wants to suffer, the outcome is that the bond with Jesus grows closer and in this the sufferer can rejoice.
Jesus promises that anyone who stands for righteousness will have a great reward in heaven. Though He does not elaborate on this, He shows that it is something about which a follower should be excited. Reward is a significant incentive in biblical teaching; however, the promised rewards will only be appreciated by those who have sought to draw close to heaven while on earth. This means one should not think of this reward in a materialistic view of eternity where carnal interests are satisfied; instead, this reward will be found in drawing closer to the Savior for whom the follower was willing to joyfully suffer. Eternal union with the Lord will provide ample opportunity for His rewards to be realized.
This leap day discussed by the Lord will certainly occur more than once every four years. Whenever wickedness prevails and one becomes the victim of its wrath, rejoicing is in order. This is proof that the Lord knows His child is strong enough to endure. It is also the opportunity to demonstrate that there is no force of evil that can take the sufferer away from the One who suffered so that salvation could come. Indeed, it is a time to leap for joy!
