Today’s Scripture Reading (January
31, 2014): 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. So Polycarp is finally arrested and sentenced to death. But there is very
little honor in executing an aged 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 the Bishop of Smyrna refused. 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 really 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 good 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. While Manasseh recovered from
his own 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
for 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 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
Chronicles 34
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