Text: Rev: 2 8-11
In 155 A.D, the Bishop of the church of Smyrna, Polycarp, was 86 at that time, was given the opportunity to renounce Jesus. The magistrate who did not want to see the old man die, said “What harm is there in saying, Lord Caesar?” But Polycarp refused. When they entered the stadium, where the executing took place, there tried again saying “Swear by the fortune of Caesar, repent and say, ‘Away with the atheists”.
The old man cried, “Eighty and six years have I served Christ, and he never did me any injury, how then can I blaspheme my king and my savior?” He was punished burnt alive.
What did I tell you this story? Polycarp shows us, it was exceptionally difficult to live as a Christian in ‘Smyrna’.
A Short Glance at Smyrna: Smyrna was a city of wealth and culture. She was built in a place of beauty. Smyrna fore saw the rising power of Rome and built a temple to Emperor Tiberius. Smyrna was a center for emperor worship. It means Christian confession that “Jesus is the lord” was in direct conflict with the Roman confession that “Caesar is the lord”.
Assertion that all is endured: Christ said “I am the first and the last” (v 8). To Christians in Smyrna and among the world experiencing persecution and martyrdom this title of Christ is very comforting. This title is a reminder that life and death are in Christ’s hands. The lord used 2 words to describe the fierceness of their persecution.
Living Christ spoke of their ‘tribulation’: The word suggests that they were undergoing fierce persecution. Their property was confiscated, their citizenship revoked and many were thrown in the prison. But that was nothing compared to the tortures of many experiences.
Living Christ spoke of their ‘poverty’: The word speaks of abject poverty, possessing absolutely nothing. They lived in destitution. Their poverty was due to their faith, because they were Christians that had lost everything. They had lost their business, houses lands and all earthly possessions.
Temporary duration of the affliction: In spite of their poverty Jesus said “Be though art rich” (v 9). If they didn’t have anything how could they be rich? These believers lived by Paul’s admonition. ‘If ye be raised with Christ, Seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth on the right hand of god. Set your affections on things above, not on the things in the earth” (Col 3: 1-2).
They were materially poor but were spiritually rich. When the world looks at the church at Smyrna all that it sees is a lack of worldly goods and desperate human poverty. But when the Lord Jesus looks at the church of Smyrna he sees in another dimension- the spiritual.
Today the church is feeling proud of this earthly wealth, property whatever it has. Does it have heavenly wealth, how is their spirituality. But friends remember the day may come when this world will take us and our property. The day may come when they threaten us with death. The day may come when our testimony becomes a death sentence in this world. If that day ever comes, take comfort that all of you are giving up is what you would have lost at some point or anyway. Even if everything you have is taken away, including your life, the treasures you have laid up in heaven are safe.
Promise of the final reward of Eternal life: Therefore do as Jesus said in “Be thou faithful unto death”, he promises them “Crown of life”. The Christians of Smyrna are urged to be faithful. What encouragement it must have meant to them? When lord told them He knew what they going through as a church. He told them not to fear things they were going through or would go through in future. Jesus promised them” I will give them a crown o life” Their faithfulness had not gone unnoticed and neither would it go unrewarded. The crown Jesus spoke of was the “stephanos” or the ‘victus crown’.
Smyrna was famous for its athletic games. A crown was trophy for the champion. If we have been faithful, we will receive the prize of victory- eternal life (James 1: 2). The message to the Smyrna church is to remain faithful during suffering, because god is in control and his promises are reliable. How are we today? How is our church today? It does not matter hope few or how simple you make the great primary truths and principles of Christianity to be, which have been brought to light and set forth in the world of human thought by Jesus Christ as the essential principle of Christian system, or church.
For a church has no right to exist until and unless it is an active or working church. A Christian has no right to his/her Christian comforting and hopes until and unless he/she is an active working Christian. There are spheres for every one of us. We must find for ourselves what ours is. Nobody will tell us. Having found our spheres, the text has its message for us “Be though faithful”.
Our work may be witness, prayer, influence, giving, teaching, writing, ministry, or any other forms of social services. : be though faithful” no man ever sees the nobility of human life until and unless he/she learns to put success second and faithfulness first. Let us not feel proud of this earthly riches and wealth but let us feel proud of having heavenly victory and gift of eternal life.
[Jaya Jesudas Pudi, the leader of this meditation, is a final year BD student of Gurukul Lutheran Theological College and Research Institute]
