Apostle for Saturday of the Fourth Week of Pascha
Acts 12:1-11, especially vs. 1: "Now about
that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the
Church."
Here is a record of an early, politically-
Church: "The kings of the earth were aroused...against the Lord..." (Ps.
2:2). The mention of "Herod the king" places the events described here
just after A.D. 41, for in that year, Claudius, the Roman Emperor,
enlarged Herod Agrippa's kingdom in southern Syria and Galilee to
include Judea, and Agrippa moved his Capital to Jerusalem.
For thirty seven years, Judea had been directly under Roman control with
all agents of government answering directly to the Imperial procurators,
Pontius Pilate being the most well-known. With the return of Herod
Agrippa as king, the growing tension between ethnic Israel and the
Church gained political backing in favor of those who violently opposed
the Church. St. Luke provides evidence of this shift toward violence by
reporting the execution of James and the arrest of Peter. Of Herod,
Luke says: "And when he saw that [James' execution] pleased the Jews, he
proceeded further to seize Peter also" (vs. 3). When conflicts in this
world oppose the clear will of God, you and I as Christians often have
to answer for our motives, goals, and choices.
Hence, when government turns against the Church, examine your primary
loyalties. St. Luke speaks plainly about the political nature of
Herod's goals: keep in mind the root sense of the word, "political,"
from the Greek word for "citizen," "polites." The king was currying the
favor of the majority of his citizens, while the Jewish Faithful in
Christ were a distinct, unpopular minority in a nearly all-Jewish
population. Ten years earlier their Leader, Jesus of Nazareth, had been
executed. Now the followers of Jesus were admitting Gentiles - non Jews
- into their synagogues, blurring the lines between Jews and other
ethnic groups, actions totally contrary to the traditionalist values of
most of the citizens of Israel (see 1 Chron. 16:35).
Popular opinion favored rigidly maintained separatism. In Herod
Agrippa, the Jews had a king of acceptable lineage, and, best, He was in
good standing with the dominant Roman powers. However, the Christian
synagogues plainly threatened the stability of Jewish privilege with the
Romans. Recall the Prophet David's words: "The kings of the earth were
aroused, and the rulers were assembled together, against the Lord, and
against His Christ. Let us break their bonds asunder, and let us cast
away their yoke from us" (Ps. 2:2,3). May you stand with God's will and
the Church for the full inclusion of those of every ethnic group (Is. 60:3)!
Government necessarily is about control, and the power to enforce. By
pleasing most people through the repression of the Christians, King
Herod aimed at building popular support to solidify his power and keep
his newly restored kingdom in the hands of his family.
The God-given goal of the Church remains the redemption of every person
from any ethnic group who chooses Christ - access to God's Kingdom for
anyone on the face of the whole earth. And note well: since God is
Ruler of all - no matter a government's "case" to the contrary - His
will is to be obeyed and honored (Acts 12:11). Be aware: even you could
have to resist.
Overriding Herod's political methods of arrest and execution in response
to "constant prayer" (vs. 12:12), God reveals that the king was puny in
his struggle against the Powers of Heaven. Herod would have executed
Peter (Acts 4:3; 5:18), yet events demonstrate the greater power of
God's hand - sometimes by martyrs' witness, and sometimes by angels. As
the Prophet David says, "He that dwelleth in the heavens shall laugh
them to scorn, and the Lord shall deride them" (Ps. 2:4). What matters
is how you stand before the Great Judge of all.
Preserve Thy Holy Orthodox Church, keep it in peace and unconquerable
forever.
Acts 12:1-11, especially vs. 1: "Now about
that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the
Church."
Here is a record of an early, politically-
Church: "The kings of the earth were aroused...against the Lord..." (Ps.
2:2). The mention of "Herod the king" places the events described here
just after A.D. 41, for in that year, Claudius, the Roman Emperor,
enlarged Herod Agrippa's kingdom in southern Syria and Galilee to
include Judea, and Agrippa moved his Capital to Jerusalem.
For thirty seven years, Judea had been directly under Roman control with
all agents of government answering directly to the Imperial procurators,
Pontius Pilate being the most well-known. With the return of Herod
Agrippa as king, the growing tension between ethnic Israel and the
Church gained political backing in favor of those who violently opposed
the Church. St. Luke provides evidence of this shift toward violence by
reporting the execution of James and the arrest of Peter. Of Herod,
Luke says: "And when he saw that [James' execution] pleased the Jews, he
proceeded further to seize Peter also" (vs. 3). When conflicts in this
world oppose the clear will of God, you and I as Christians often have
to answer for our motives, goals, and choices.
Hence, when government turns against the Church, examine your primary
loyalties. St. Luke speaks plainly about the political nature of
Herod's goals: keep in mind the root sense of the word, "political,"
from the Greek word for "citizen," "polites." The king was currying the
favor of the majority of his citizens, while the Jewish Faithful in
Christ were a distinct, unpopular minority in a nearly all-Jewish
population. Ten years earlier their Leader, Jesus of Nazareth, had been
executed. Now the followers of Jesus were admitting Gentiles - non Jews
- into their synagogues, blurring the lines between Jews and other
ethnic groups, actions totally contrary to the traditionalist values of
most of the citizens of Israel (see 1 Chron. 16:35).
Popular opinion favored rigidly maintained separatism. In Herod
Agrippa, the Jews had a king of acceptable lineage, and, best, He was in
good standing with the dominant Roman powers. However, the Christian
synagogues plainly threatened the stability of Jewish privilege with the
Romans. Recall the Prophet David's words: "The kings of the earth were
aroused, and the rulers were assembled together, against the Lord, and
against His Christ. Let us break their bonds asunder, and let us cast
away their yoke from us" (Ps. 2:2,3). May you stand with God's will and
the Church for the full inclusion of those of every ethnic group (Is. 60:3)!
Government necessarily is about control, and the power to enforce. By
pleasing most people through the repression of the Christians, King
Herod aimed at building popular support to solidify his power and keep
his newly restored kingdom in the hands of his family.
The God-given goal of the Church remains the redemption of every person
from any ethnic group who chooses Christ - access to God's Kingdom for
anyone on the face of the whole earth. And note well: since God is
Ruler of all - no matter a government's "case" to the contrary - His
will is to be obeyed and honored (Acts 12:11). Be aware: even you could
have to resist.
Overriding Herod's political methods of arrest and execution in response
to "constant prayer" (vs. 12:12), God reveals that the king was puny in
his struggle against the Powers of Heaven. Herod would have executed
Peter (Acts 4:3; 5:18), yet events demonstrate the greater power of
God's hand - sometimes by martyrs' witness, and sometimes by angels. As
the Prophet David says, "He that dwelleth in the heavens shall laugh
them to scorn, and the Lord shall deride them" (Ps. 2:4). What matters
is how you stand before the Great Judge of all.
Preserve Thy Holy Orthodox Church, keep it in peace and unconquerable
forever.
0 comments:
Post a Comment