He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, as his father Manasseh had done. Amon worshiped and offered sacrifices to all the idols Manasseh had made. – 2 Chronicles 33:22

Today’s Scripture Reading (February 13, 2017): 2 Chronicles 33

Polycarp was the Bishop of Smyrna during the second century, but at the age of 86, the Bishop was arrested for crimes against the faith. The actual charge was that he was an atheist because Polycarp refused to believe in the Roman pantheon of gods. Because of this atheism, the aged Polycarp is arrested and sentenced to death. But there is very little honor in executing an old man. So repeatedly Polycarp was offered the chance to change his mind – to curse Christ and swear allegiance to Caesar and the gods of the land. But every time his accusers broached the subject, the Bishop of Smyrna refused to recant his belief in Christ. His famous reply to his captors was “Eighty and six years I have served him, and he has done me no wrong. How then can I blaspheme my King and Saviour? Bring forth what you will.” In the end, Polycarp was executed on Saturday, February 23, 156 C.E. in Smyrna, a port city in what is now Modern Turkey.   

If there is a lesson to be learned from the life of Manasseh of Judah, it might be found in this passage. Manasseh’s reign needs to be divided into two parts. For the first part of his reign, Manasseh was one of the most evil kings that Judah had known. Rabbinic literature even credits Manasseh with the execution of the aging prophet Isaiah. Like the execution of Polycarp, it would seem that there would have been little honor in the execution. But complicating the issue even further is the fact that Isaiah was likely related to Manasseh – possibly an older cousin (or more precisely a cousin of his grandfather or great-grandfather.)

But late in his life, there is a change in Manasseh. He stops worshipping at the altar of pagan gods. He repents of the things that he had done earlier in his reign. He takes down the worship sites and dedicates his life the God of Israel. But apparently, the change comes too late for his son, Amon. Upon Manasseh’s death, Amon rises to the position of king and takes up the evil of the early part of Manasseh’s reign rather than the right of the last portion of Manasseh’s reign. The example set by Manasseh in the setting up of the altars for false gods and the execution of Isaiah seemed to be too much. And while Manasseh recovered from his evil, his son did not.

Often in Western Christianity, we seem to come to the conclusion that as long as we repent before we die, that is all that matters. But that is not really true. Yes, like Manasseh, we can come to God late, and he will honor us. But for the sake of those around us, that example late in life might be too late to matter. For those that are watching us, there is a reason for us to live godly lives throughout the length of our lives. And there is nothing better than to have a testimony like that of Polycarp and be able to say that “I have served him all of my life and he has never turned his back on me. How can I turn my back on him?” It is this lifelong testimony that changes the world – and it changes the lives of our children – the ones who are watching and learning from the actions of our lives. While turning to Christ in the last moment of our lives will save us from any eternal punishment, turning to Christ early in our lives will change the lives of those around us – especially of those closest to us. They need our example – and they need it now.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 22