(Jesus said) "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:11-12

Unless you're a Hollywood kind of person you probably don't know the name, Andrew Klavan.

On the other hand, if you are Clint Eastwood or Michael Douglas, the name Andrew Klaven would be familiar to you. You would know Klaven as a best-selling author, a screenwriter, and an individual to whom the media turns when they want some kind of comment on current culture or an evaluation of things entertaining.

Having said that you might be interested to hear what Klavan has to say about the way Christians and patriots are portrayed in movies and television.

Klavan says, ". . . anytime a Christian walks on Law and Order, you know he's the murderer. That happens a lot in films. Anytime somebody expresses any kind of religious view point, he's going to turn out to be hypocritical, especially if he's a Christian." Klavan continues, "He's going to turn out to be a hypocrite, or a hater, or something like that. When you watch movies, watch who turns out to be the villain -- how often he's the patriot (or) the Christian."

Well, I've watched, and Klavan is right. According to Hollywood, Christians are the perverts, the fanatical prudes, the pathetic people who are prejudiced, pompous, and pitiful.

Oh, there's one other thing we are: we are the people whom Jesus was talking about in Matthew 5. We are the Christians who, because we are Christians, are being reviled and persecuted and lied about.

Now, I don't think the folks who produce these programs are going to change their ways any time soon. They know an easy target when they see one. They know true Christians -- Christians who have been washed of their sins by the Savior -- aren't going to get violent or seek revenge. We're not going to try to kill them as members of some other religions might.

No, they're not afraid of us. "What are you going to do?" they ask, "pray for me?"

To which we reply, "Exactly! That's what the Savior said we should do in Matthew 5:44b. He told us: 'Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.'"

It's a good idea. Let's pray.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, how sad it is the unbelieving world feels it is its sacred duty to tear at You and the work You have done in our lives. Today I ask that You will forgive my sins and allow my life to be a living witness to what You have done. In Your Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Leviticus 14    Mark 8:1-21

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