About 600 BC Jerusalem was conquered by the Babylonians under king Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar naturally took for himself all the treasures of Jerusalem (it's what conquerors do) but he also took the best, the brightest and the most beautiful young people into his service. Among these were Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego who we read about today in our reading from the Book of Daniel.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego were carried off to Babylon but they (and Daniel) seemed to be unique among the captives in this way: they truly loved God; they continued to trust God; they continued to obey God and they would worship only God. The problem is the King wanted them to love him, to obey him and to worship him. Of course you can't do both: you can't worship ONLY God and then turn around and worship the king. So Nebuchadnezzar gave these guys an ultimatum "if you do not worship me, you will immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire; what god is there who can deliver you out of my hands?" The answer was, "actually God can do that" and as we read today that is exactly what God did.
The effect was that the king was humbled and Nebuchadnezzar came to worship God. “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego"; the king acknowledged the witness of radical trust "who put their trust in God, violating the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies so as not to serve or worship any god except their own God." Through this radical witness of three young men, Nebuchadnezzar (and a kingdom) began to know God.
700 years later Jesus dictates a letter to a church in Σμύρνη (Smyrna in modern day Turkey). Jesus acknowledges their suffering. We note this is not self focused suffering - this is not suffering because of bad choices or because of lust or because of wants. This is not "me" focused suffering. This is not bad health or no wealth suffering. This is severe push-back for not going after the things of this world but rather seeking after Jesus. This is Christ focused suffering. This is suffering in bearing witness of Jesus to the world. This is Christocentric suffering not egocentric suffering. This is the same suffering Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego faced and endured. The Greek word for witness is Martyr. Witness for God, suffering to bear witness of Jesus became so associated with death and torture that the English language took the word and defined Martyr as one who is tortured and killed for Christ. Jesus tells Smyrna that things are going to get worse (not better!!) but that it is in persistent and consistent faith that the victory in eternal life is known and claimed.
The effect was that the king was humbled and Nebuchadnezzar came to worship God. “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego"; the king acknowledged the witness of radical trust "who put their trust in God, violating the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies so as not to serve or worship any god except their own God." Through this radical witness of three young men, Nebuchadnezzar (and a kingdom) began to know God.
700 years later Jesus dictates a letter to a church in Σμύρνη (Smyrna in modern day Turkey). Jesus acknowledges their suffering. We note this is not self focused suffering - this is not suffering because of bad choices or because of lust or because of wants. This is not "me" focused suffering. This is not bad health or no wealth suffering. This is severe push-back for not going after the things of this world but rather seeking after Jesus. This is Christ focused suffering. This is suffering in bearing witness of Jesus to the world. This is Christocentric suffering not egocentric suffering. This is the same suffering Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego faced and endured. The Greek word for witness is Martyr. Witness for God, suffering to bear witness of Jesus became so associated with death and torture that the English language took the word and defined Martyr as one who is tortured and killed for Christ. Jesus tells Smyrna that things are going to get worse (not better!!) but that it is in persistent and consistent faith that the victory in eternal life is known and claimed.
Can you hear the echo's of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego in this video telling the story of the martyrdom of Polycarp Bishop of Smyrna less than 60 years after Jesus dictated the letter we read today? (very short - under 3 minutes; click here if you cannot play this video)
Do we have ears that hear? Do we hear the truth in these stories of radical faithful witness? Do we hear what it means for us, our life and our witness? Witness (Greek: μάρτυς, mártys, martyr) is the call of every Christian. The commission given the Church by Jesus is witness, martyr, μάρτυς.
Today we thank you God. You have tasked us to bear witness in all the world. You want all the world to hear of your love and have determined that it is through faithful Christ followers that this will be accomplished. You shape each of us in witness as you transform the world through witness; it is marvelous and wonderful and for this we give you praise in thanksgiving. May all the world know of Your love and glory. Loving God - reveal the nearness of the Kingdom of God - build your Kingdom here. We pray this in Jesus' mighty name. Amen
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