Jesus encouraged His followers to rejoice when they were persecuted because
Answer Details
Jesus encouraged His followers to rejoice when they were persecuted because great would be their reward in heaven. This means that even though they might experience hardships and challenges for their faith, they should not lose heart because they will be blessed and rewarded in the end. They should keep their focus on their heavenly reward, rather than on their present circumstances, and trust that God will see them through.