A Letter To Smyrna
Usually, traditionally, a pastor will start out their sermon with a
joke, a story, some sort of introduction that gently introduces the
concept to be covered that week. And that was my intention as well. I
planned to talk about my new-found love of birds, about how I'd
planned to get ahold of a bird feeder, how I'd made the trip to VINS in
Queechee, and how that ties into the city that we'll read about this
week. A city, a church, of Christians who were not strangers to
suffering for the gospel, a church to whom Jesus message is not only
that hes seen the suffering they undergo, but that more suffering is
coming.
That was my plan. But as the week went on, and the number of people lost in Asia rose and rose, that began to feel less and less the right thing to do, began to feel like I was avoiding the tiger sitting in the corner of the room.
When we talk about suffering, about destruction and rebuilding, which the city of Smyrna did go though- after the city was completely destroyed in 600 BC.- we have to talk about the tsunami, about what's happening in our world.
The city we'll look at this morning does offer a subtle message of hope. As I said, it was completely destroyed, but rebuilt itself. For this reason, it was symbolized in the ancient world by a phoenix- a beautiful bird that, according to legend, dies in flames, only to rise up out of the ashes of seeming destruction, as a fresh young chick. What a great image of hope.
But before we get into that, let me just say this about what's happening in Asia right now. Since this was a natural disaster, people will soon ask me, probably will ask you too, how did God allow this to happen? If hes so powerful, why didn't he stop this?
I have no answer to that question. I simply don't. But I do have a few things for us all to think about in responding to these questions.
First, is it God's fault that there was no warning system for the Indian Ocean, as there is for the Pacific? Couldn't it be that God in fact inspired that system, and human agents chose to not use it in that area of the world?
Secondly, the Bible tells us, in Rom. 8 that The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. What I understand this as meaning, is that through original sin, the Fall of Adam and Eve, decay, not-rightness, entered the whole world. That is why we seem to have a fatal flaw in our hearts, and that may be why creation acts the way it does as well.
Lastly, Jesus was once asked a similar question- about two instances, one in which people had been killed while making sacrifices, another in which people had died when a tower fell on them- His response was: Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them Do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.
Just last week, I told you all how hazardous it is to simply quote a passage without context, but I will hazard it. Jesus answer isn't that those who died werenÕt important, but rather, to ask why the people ask the question. Mourn those who were lost, yes, but the best way to honor them is to live your life in a better way because you've learned through their loss.
Life itself is a hazardous proposition- those people in Asia knew that the same way we do. Anything could and can happen. But to respect life while you are a part of it, to care for those in need, whether they live around the world or across the street, does honor to their lives and their loss.
To consider your own mortality, and therefore to live a more compassionate life, a life more thoughtful of your soul's destiny, does honor to their loss. Questioning and cynicism don't help anyone, don't honor anyone. It's understandable to be confused or shocked, but I'm afraid that the people who choose that reaction are concerned about something else, are using this disaster as a distraction for other questions they have to answer for themselves.
I hope I've helped your thinking about this in some small way, but for now, let's turn to our Biblical passage for this morning. As I've said, the phoenix was also the way that people in the ancient world pictured the city of Smyrna, the church we'll look at this week. It was a prosperous port city, not unlike the picture you might have of sophisticated, worldly, and busy ocean ports like New York City or San Francisco.
So the phoenix represented Smyrna, the way the tree of Artemis symbolized Ephesus. There might've been some irony in this symbol for the Christians in Smyrna, however, as we'll see now, by turning to today's text. It begins:
To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.
As I said last time, Jesus uses this part of every church's message as a place for reassurance, or for correction, whichever he feels a particular church needs to hear. He introduces himself, then, in light of the part of himself that most applies. That is, he does what any of us would do. If you have skills as an auto mechanic and find someone broken down on the road, you introduce yourself that way-- Hi, I'm a mechanic, how can I help? If you're a doctor, and see someone having health problems you say quickly, I'm a doctor. If you see something bad happening, though, you'd speak with more force. If you are an off duty police officer, and you see a crime being committed, you say, Stop, Police.
Jesus, then, introduces himself in the same manner. For Ephesus, who was judgmental and having problems loving, he reminds them of his power over them, that he holds the churches in his hand, that He constantly walks among them. To those in Smyrna, who as we'll see are under persecution, he gives a reminder that he existed at the beginning-the first- and he'll be there at the end- the last. He reminds them that he has indeed defeated death, something that may soon be a very real possibility for them. The text continues:
I know your afflictions and your poverty Yet, you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
Again, the Lord is here reminding these early Christians that he is among them and intimately acquainted with the situation. Unlike his message to the Ephesians, where he used similar sentiments, in this case the statement is one of comfort. They are not alone in resisting the Jews of Smyrna or the State Religion of Emperor Worship. No, he sees what is being done to them.
These afflictions, this poverty, is most likely a direct result of their faith. This was not a popular or easy choice in their city. Smyrna was closely aligned with Rome, and with the Roman Empire, and as such, there was great societal pressure to be a part of the Emperor Cult, the state religion of worshiping the head of the Roman empire.
There was also a history of Jewish bitterness toward Christians in this city. It is referred to by many Christian writers. The bishop of Smyrna, Polycarp, was martyred in 160AD, about 70 years after this letter, for resisting the state religion, and as part of that martyrdom, he was called a Puller down of our gods by the Jews of Smyrna. So we can well imagine the relationship that led to his death was well underway at the time of this writing.
The use of the name Satan here is significant. This word is from Hebrew and means The accuser... that is why these Jews are referred to as Synagogues of Satan. Since he is referring to Jews, even though they're Jews by name only, Hebrew, the language of the Jewish scriptures, is used. It is important to notice that Jesus points out that these are not in fact Jewish believers. Their Jewishness is only an act, a distraction from who it is they really follow. I'm quite sure that this and passages like this have been used over the years by anti-Semitic groups. That use of this verse is completely unjustifiable, completely unfounded.
Jesus continues:
Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil (Gk, diabolos, accuser) will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.
In light of what hes told them then Jesus asks the Christians of Smyrna not to be afraid. He who is telling them this, is the author of life. He sees what is happening to them. He knows what is coming. They are not abandoned, but watched and cared for. It is not they who are in the wrong, but these Counterfeit Jews.
Having referred to the enemy as Satan to highlight the False Jews, he reminds them that it is not really their neighbors they're battling against. They are only pawns, only tools of the greater enemy (as all of us are, to him). It is the devil who is persecuting them. Here he calls him devil, a translation of the Greek name diabolos- again meaning, The accuser. They are being accused by these neighbors who are only tools of the great accuser.
He tells them that a time of testing is coming, so that they can prepare. Be faithful he says, and you'll be given the crown of life.
This crown was explained in numerous places I looked to not mean a royal crown, but rather, a victor's wreath, likely a laurel wreath is envisioned, a victor's wreath like athletes would receive. This is no ordinary wreath, but the victor's wreath of eternal life. Again, Christ is giving perspective. Yes, you may make the ultimate sacrifice- hes saying- but like an athlete who makes great sacrifices in his own way, you'll win a great victory. You give your life on earth, but you get eternal life in a better place.
These are poignant verses, particularly in today's climate of violence and terrorism. Yes, He knows and cares about what is coming for these Christians, but Jesus tenderly and lovingly, like a parent, prepares them for these events with obvious love and care. He puts things into perspective, he reminds them that He is aware of whats happening, directs their gaze away from the pain of the near future and onto of the greater victory in store for them.
He finishes, then, with these words:
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.
This is the standard ending for these messages. He who has spiritual ears, an ability to understand, listen! The one who overcomes... won't be hurt as a result of God's final judgment. This is a reminder that these people around the Smyrna Christians can kill the body, but God is in charge of the eternal life of souls. A much longer time, a more important proposition.
You may be hurt by the mortal death, he assures them, but THEY will be hurt more- and you not at all- by the second death, that is to say, God's judgment.
Sadly, this kind of persecution wasn't just something that happened back then- it's also a trial that churches in the world right now go through- today, there are people who are in jail simply because they are Christians. And they are throughout the world, including in modern day Turkey, where Smyrna was located. If you're interested in finding out more about this, about how you could help people like that, how you could communicate with them and give them encouragement, let me know and I'll try to steer you to those who know more about it than I do.
Which brings us back to us, here in our church building on January 9th. What should this make you and I do? Are we in danger like they were? Not really. So what, then? Do we just disregard this message?
I have to tell you, which may be plain common sense, but studying this stuff can get you kinda tangled sometimes- I don't know exactly how you should apply these words to your lives. I don't know enough about each of you to tell you that. And anyway, you'll make that decision yourself. But what I can do is tell you how I'm affected by this message.
For me, this brings to my mind that there are Christians like this in the world. People who are in such imminent danger that they need consolation. These verses make me question what I can- or must- do for them.
Unfortunately, even though I know the hope and deliverance of faith , my life is still motivated too often by guilt, and too seldom by love. So part of what I get from these verses is fear- am I guilty if I don't help people like these people?
However, I also take from this message, that Jesus is not living in a castle far out in the middle of nowhere. For some reason, ever since I was a small child, I've had that picture of where God lives, of heaven I suppose. Honestly. But these verses show us that this is simply not true. He is here, with us. He isn't a bureaucrat, reading long boring reports about each of our churches. Rather, he is intimately involved with what we do. That gives me a great surge of hope, and I hope it does the same for you. We aren't alone, but we have Jesus here with us. We may feel alone, but heaven is intimately aware of what happens in Fairlee, Vermont. It brings to mind the verses that tell us that there is joy in heaven when one sinner repents. These things feel small to us, but there is a place, there is a God here among us, for whom our actions as a church have immense significance.
That makes me feel a lot better. And I hope these verses lift your heart, as well.
That was my plan. But as the week went on, and the number of people lost in Asia rose and rose, that began to feel less and less the right thing to do, began to feel like I was avoiding the tiger sitting in the corner of the room.
When we talk about suffering, about destruction and rebuilding, which the city of Smyrna did go though- after the city was completely destroyed in 600 BC.- we have to talk about the tsunami, about what's happening in our world.
The city we'll look at this morning does offer a subtle message of hope. As I said, it was completely destroyed, but rebuilt itself. For this reason, it was symbolized in the ancient world by a phoenix- a beautiful bird that, according to legend, dies in flames, only to rise up out of the ashes of seeming destruction, as a fresh young chick. What a great image of hope.
But before we get into that, let me just say this about what's happening in Asia right now. Since this was a natural disaster, people will soon ask me, probably will ask you too, how did God allow this to happen? If hes so powerful, why didn't he stop this?
I have no answer to that question. I simply don't. But I do have a few things for us all to think about in responding to these questions.
First, is it God's fault that there was no warning system for the Indian Ocean, as there is for the Pacific? Couldn't it be that God in fact inspired that system, and human agents chose to not use it in that area of the world?
Secondly, the Bible tells us, in Rom. 8 that The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. What I understand this as meaning, is that through original sin, the Fall of Adam and Eve, decay, not-rightness, entered the whole world. That is why we seem to have a fatal flaw in our hearts, and that may be why creation acts the way it does as well.
Lastly, Jesus was once asked a similar question- about two instances, one in which people had been killed while making sacrifices, another in which people had died when a tower fell on them- His response was: Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them Do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.
Just last week, I told you all how hazardous it is to simply quote a passage without context, but I will hazard it. Jesus answer isn't that those who died werenÕt important, but rather, to ask why the people ask the question. Mourn those who were lost, yes, but the best way to honor them is to live your life in a better way because you've learned through their loss.
Life itself is a hazardous proposition- those people in Asia knew that the same way we do. Anything could and can happen. But to respect life while you are a part of it, to care for those in need, whether they live around the world or across the street, does honor to their lives and their loss.
To consider your own mortality, and therefore to live a more compassionate life, a life more thoughtful of your soul's destiny, does honor to their loss. Questioning and cynicism don't help anyone, don't honor anyone. It's understandable to be confused or shocked, but I'm afraid that the people who choose that reaction are concerned about something else, are using this disaster as a distraction for other questions they have to answer for themselves.
I hope I've helped your thinking about this in some small way, but for now, let's turn to our Biblical passage for this morning. As I've said, the phoenix was also the way that people in the ancient world pictured the city of Smyrna, the church we'll look at this week. It was a prosperous port city, not unlike the picture you might have of sophisticated, worldly, and busy ocean ports like New York City or San Francisco.
So the phoenix represented Smyrna, the way the tree of Artemis symbolized Ephesus. There might've been some irony in this symbol for the Christians in Smyrna, however, as we'll see now, by turning to today's text. It begins:
To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.
As I said last time, Jesus uses this part of every church's message as a place for reassurance, or for correction, whichever he feels a particular church needs to hear. He introduces himself, then, in light of the part of himself that most applies. That is, he does what any of us would do. If you have skills as an auto mechanic and find someone broken down on the road, you introduce yourself that way-- Hi, I'm a mechanic, how can I help? If you're a doctor, and see someone having health problems you say quickly, I'm a doctor. If you see something bad happening, though, you'd speak with more force. If you are an off duty police officer, and you see a crime being committed, you say, Stop, Police.
Jesus, then, introduces himself in the same manner. For Ephesus, who was judgmental and having problems loving, he reminds them of his power over them, that he holds the churches in his hand, that He constantly walks among them. To those in Smyrna, who as we'll see are under persecution, he gives a reminder that he existed at the beginning-the first- and he'll be there at the end- the last. He reminds them that he has indeed defeated death, something that may soon be a very real possibility for them. The text continues:
I know your afflictions and your poverty Yet, you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
Again, the Lord is here reminding these early Christians that he is among them and intimately acquainted with the situation. Unlike his message to the Ephesians, where he used similar sentiments, in this case the statement is one of comfort. They are not alone in resisting the Jews of Smyrna or the State Religion of Emperor Worship. No, he sees what is being done to them.
These afflictions, this poverty, is most likely a direct result of their faith. This was not a popular or easy choice in their city. Smyrna was closely aligned with Rome, and with the Roman Empire, and as such, there was great societal pressure to be a part of the Emperor Cult, the state religion of worshiping the head of the Roman empire.
There was also a history of Jewish bitterness toward Christians in this city. It is referred to by many Christian writers. The bishop of Smyrna, Polycarp, was martyred in 160AD, about 70 years after this letter, for resisting the state religion, and as part of that martyrdom, he was called a Puller down of our gods by the Jews of Smyrna. So we can well imagine the relationship that led to his death was well underway at the time of this writing.
The use of the name Satan here is significant. This word is from Hebrew and means The accuser... that is why these Jews are referred to as Synagogues of Satan. Since he is referring to Jews, even though they're Jews by name only, Hebrew, the language of the Jewish scriptures, is used. It is important to notice that Jesus points out that these are not in fact Jewish believers. Their Jewishness is only an act, a distraction from who it is they really follow. I'm quite sure that this and passages like this have been used over the years by anti-Semitic groups. That use of this verse is completely unjustifiable, completely unfounded.
Jesus continues:
Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil (Gk, diabolos, accuser) will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.
In light of what hes told them then Jesus asks the Christians of Smyrna not to be afraid. He who is telling them this, is the author of life. He sees what is happening to them. He knows what is coming. They are not abandoned, but watched and cared for. It is not they who are in the wrong, but these Counterfeit Jews.
Having referred to the enemy as Satan to highlight the False Jews, he reminds them that it is not really their neighbors they're battling against. They are only pawns, only tools of the greater enemy (as all of us are, to him). It is the devil who is persecuting them. Here he calls him devil, a translation of the Greek name diabolos- again meaning, The accuser. They are being accused by these neighbors who are only tools of the great accuser.
He tells them that a time of testing is coming, so that they can prepare. Be faithful he says, and you'll be given the crown of life.
This crown was explained in numerous places I looked to not mean a royal crown, but rather, a victor's wreath, likely a laurel wreath is envisioned, a victor's wreath like athletes would receive. This is no ordinary wreath, but the victor's wreath of eternal life. Again, Christ is giving perspective. Yes, you may make the ultimate sacrifice- hes saying- but like an athlete who makes great sacrifices in his own way, you'll win a great victory. You give your life on earth, but you get eternal life in a better place.
These are poignant verses, particularly in today's climate of violence and terrorism. Yes, He knows and cares about what is coming for these Christians, but Jesus tenderly and lovingly, like a parent, prepares them for these events with obvious love and care. He puts things into perspective, he reminds them that He is aware of whats happening, directs their gaze away from the pain of the near future and onto of the greater victory in store for them.
He finishes, then, with these words:
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.
This is the standard ending for these messages. He who has spiritual ears, an ability to understand, listen! The one who overcomes... won't be hurt as a result of God's final judgment. This is a reminder that these people around the Smyrna Christians can kill the body, but God is in charge of the eternal life of souls. A much longer time, a more important proposition.
You may be hurt by the mortal death, he assures them, but THEY will be hurt more- and you not at all- by the second death, that is to say, God's judgment.
Sadly, this kind of persecution wasn't just something that happened back then- it's also a trial that churches in the world right now go through- today, there are people who are in jail simply because they are Christians. And they are throughout the world, including in modern day Turkey, where Smyrna was located. If you're interested in finding out more about this, about how you could help people like that, how you could communicate with them and give them encouragement, let me know and I'll try to steer you to those who know more about it than I do.
Which brings us back to us, here in our church building on January 9th. What should this make you and I do? Are we in danger like they were? Not really. So what, then? Do we just disregard this message?
I have to tell you, which may be plain common sense, but studying this stuff can get you kinda tangled sometimes- I don't know exactly how you should apply these words to your lives. I don't know enough about each of you to tell you that. And anyway, you'll make that decision yourself. But what I can do is tell you how I'm affected by this message.
For me, this brings to my mind that there are Christians like this in the world. People who are in such imminent danger that they need consolation. These verses make me question what I can- or must- do for them.
Unfortunately, even though I know the hope and deliverance of faith , my life is still motivated too often by guilt, and too seldom by love. So part of what I get from these verses is fear- am I guilty if I don't help people like these people?
However, I also take from this message, that Jesus is not living in a castle far out in the middle of nowhere. For some reason, ever since I was a small child, I've had that picture of where God lives, of heaven I suppose. Honestly. But these verses show us that this is simply not true. He is here, with us. He isn't a bureaucrat, reading long boring reports about each of our churches. Rather, he is intimately involved with what we do. That gives me a great surge of hope, and I hope it does the same for you. We aren't alone, but we have Jesus here with us. We may feel alone, but heaven is intimately aware of what happens in Fairlee, Vermont. It brings to mind the verses that tell us that there is joy in heaven when one sinner repents. These things feel small to us, but there is a place, there is a God here among us, for whom our actions as a church have immense significance.
That makes me feel a lot better. And I hope these verses lift your heart, as well.
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