Thursday, March 20, 2025
Revelation 2:8-11, NRSV
‘And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of the first and the last, who was dead and came to life:
‘I know your affliction and your poverty, even though you are rich. I know the slander on the part of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Beware, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have affliction. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Whoever conquers will not be harmed by the second death.
Reflection - Pastor Laurie Pfahler, Royersford United Methodist Church
For some, John vision as recorded is frightening, and maybe a couple spots are; but it is not meant to be. It is a vision of hope and the assurance that if we keep the faith in God and Jesus Christ, if we live our lives constantly giving AND receiving love in all we do and say, in the end, all will be better than “okay!” John is hearing that ALL people, no matter their wealth or background, will be tempted and tested and their weaknesses and sins exposed, no matter how well hidden they may be.
But faithful people need not fear to do the will of God. In World War II, my dad was drafted. He served in the army as a medic in the Pacific arena. His faith needed to be strong. As a medic, he saw the worst of the worst and had to make quick heart-wrenching decisions about who could be saved, and who could not. But the worst was being assigned to go into Hiroshima after the atom bomb to look for Japanese survivors. How could his own people do this? What he saw there he could not speak of it for all the tears he shed. But his faith in God through Jesus Christ got him through because instead of hate, he felt compassion and love and sorrow. I learned a lot from Dad, his faith, and his tears. If Dad could get through all that, then, with my faith in God, I will be better than “okay!”
Prayer: Loving Protector and Friend, we know life will test us now and in the future. We will be tempted to avoid what needs to be done in such darkness out of fear; but remind us of the light that shines and brings us hope and strength of spirit as we do your work to build your new heaven and new earth and await the return of Christ. In his name we pray, Amen.
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