Today's Scripture Reading (April 30, 2023): 2 Kings 21
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, a charge based on the fact that Polycarp refused to believe in
the Roman pantheon of gods. Because of this atheism, the aged Polycarp was
arrested and sentenced to death. But there is very little honor in executing an
old man. So repeatedly, Polycarp was offered a chance to change his mind; all
the aging church leader needed to do was 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 Savior?
Bring forth what you will." In the end, Polycarp was executed on Saturday,
February 23, 156 C.E., in Smyrna, a port city in 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 numbered along with the evilest 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 that Isaiah was likely related to Manasseh, possibly
an older cousin (or, more precisely, a cousin of his grandfather or
great-grandfather), and possibly even Manasseh's own 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 to the God of
Israel. But apparently, the change comes too late for his son, Amon. Upon
Manasseh's death, Amon takes his position as the King and follows 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 for Amon.
Manasseh's son wanted to reflect the image of the King's early reign rather
than the example he set later in his life. And while Manasseh recovered from
his evil, his son did not.
Often
in Western Christianity, we seem to conclude 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 who 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 say, "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 those closest to us. They need our
example, and they need it now.
Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: 2 Chronicles 33
See Also: 2 Chronicles 33:22
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