Hello and welcome to Van Life Devotions. We are traveling through Turkey visiting several areas which includes the seven areas that had churches that Jesus addresses in Revelation. Today we are in ancient Smyrna which is surrounded by the modern city of Izmir. Smyrna had exclusive rights to import and export myrrh, valued for its use in burial procedures. Myrrh was so important to the city, it is literally mentioned in the city’s name Smyrna.
We don’t know how the church was started here, but it is assumed that with Paul living in Ephesus some 80 kilometres away that he possibly planted the church.
After addressing his letter to the pastor of this church, Jesus says, “These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.” (Revelation 2:8 NIV). The words Jesus chose to describe Himself were similar to the history of the city. It had been destroyed, left devasted for three centuries, and its port laid dead, but came back to life again as part of Alexander the Great’s empire.
The next few verses describe the hardships that the church was and would continue facing. Verse 9, “I know your afflictions” - that word is translated in other bibles as “tribulations” and it comes from a Greek word that implies “pressure”. A torture method back then were blocks placed on a person’s chest making it increasingly difficult to breath. Jesus continues in verse 9, “I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich!” The Early Church experienced much poverty as many belonged to the lower classes of society and sometimes their houses would be attacked, and items stolen. But Jesus reminds them that they are rich in faith.
The Jews were making it tough for the Christians. Jesus said, “I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan” (Revelation 2:9, NIV). The Jews slandered the Christians converts, most of who were Jewish, and they made up many different accusations including incest, to cannibalism and atheism. But the worst was yet to come to them. Verse 10, “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil 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”. Those words “Be faithful, even to the point of death” were fulfilled in the life and death of Polycarp.
Polycarp was the bishop of this church about one or two decades after Jesus said these words. It was the time of the public-games; the city was crowded; and the crowds were excited. Suddenly the shout went up: "Away with the atheists; let Polycarp be searched for”. They found, arrested, and brought him to this arena. The proconsul gave him the choice of cursing the name of Christ and making a sacrifice to Caesar or death. Polycarp declared back: "Eighty-six years have I served Christ and He has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?" The proconsul threatened him with burning. The crowds came to this arena and witnessed his prayer, and the flames burned around him and then he died a martyr’s death.
Jesus tells us to remain faithful even if there’s a cost. He promises a great reward - a victor’s crown. In Smyrna, the crown was the symbol of the city, and it was even on their coins. Christians didn’t get to wear crowns at celebrations like regular citizens and yet Jesus had a special victor’s crown ready for them. We are seeing in our country changing attitudes towards the Christian faith with many now actively pushing legislations against certain Christian rights while others slander our faith in the media. Our call is to love and remain faithful to our Lord Jesus.
Let’s pray:
Lord God, give us ears to hear what the Spirit is says to us. Help us to be victorious by remaining faithful. O God, preserve us who travel; surround us with your loving care; protect us from every danger; and bring us in safety to our journey’s end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
David Moyes
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