November 18, 2013. Read: Luke 18:35-43 Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.” Around 165 b.c., a pagan king named Antiochus Epiphanes came to power in the land of Palestine. He saw the Jews’ faithfulness to their covenant as an obstacle to his influence over the people, so he began to ban their customs and traditions—and to enforce that ban with violence. Not only did he erect a statue of Zeus in the sanctuary of the Temple in Jerusalem, but he also forced the Jews to break their kosher laws by eating pork. Any who refused were put to death. It was a dark time for Jerusalem, when many Jews acquiesced, and many others despaired. But God remained faithful. He raised up Judas Maccabeus and his sons to help turn the tide. Through their words and their courageous witness, the Maccabees stirred the people to fight against Antiochus’ tyranny and to uphold their covenant. It was a bloody war, but the Maccabees won out in the end. Antiochus was defeated, and the Temple was rededicated to the Lord. Few of us are called to be like Judas Maccabeus. But we are all called to live our faith heroically. Through our words, we can bring hope to anyone feeling besieged. Through our joyful, peaceful witness, we can show people how to remain faithful in the face of pressure to conform to worldly philosophies. Through our prayers, we can change the course of history! Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ can move mountains.
Posted on: Mon, 18 Nov 2013 05:55:04 +0000
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