Beatitude Nine
                             Blessed (well off) will you be when they insult you and persecute you
                                 and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me,
                                     rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great heaven. 
                                      Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

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In the eighth and ninth promises Jesus made to his followers, he told them that they could expect to suffer misunderstanding, rejection and even persecution from those who did not accept His message.  In spite of this possible rejection, they were encouraged to remain loyal to Christ and firm in their belief in his promises.

He compared his disciples to cooks whose missionary ministry would be as important and useful to people as salt is of universal importance to the cook who uses it as a season to effectively enhance and bring out the true flavor of food.  Their teaching would bring about changes in their listener's behavior thus making their lives more pleasing to God!

Christ drew a parallel between the negative reception earlier prophets had received and the reception his disciples could expect as they announced his message.  He reminded them that all who did his work were his ambassadors who merited God's friendship and would inherit his kingdom.

Finally, he described them as shining lamps in the world through whom the light of truth would shine to drive out the darkness of sin.  They would make Christ's message of the Father's love for everyone shine clearly for all to see.