Saturday, March 12
The Life and Challenges of a Long-Ago Christian, Part 2
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. —Matthew 5:10
Zeno speaks
A Port Town, 62 AD
Hi! My name is Zeno. Let me tell you about my friend Markos. One time, after picking up a load of wood for my boss, Fabro the carpenter, I was about to unload it in our shed when I saw this guy curled up asleep in one corner. When I woke him, he jumped up to apologize. His name was Markos, he said. He had come to town to meet friends, but they had missed each other, and he was out of money with no place to go. Then he offered to help unload the wood. He was about my age and seemed like an OK guy, so I agreed. When Fabro saw how well we did, he offered Markos a job. So, Markos and I worked together and got to be friends. Markos was a Christian, and I was his first convert.
One day Fabro told us he wanted us to do a job for the priest of Apollo, rebuilding his personal shrine. “Wait,” said Markos. “Does that mean we have to work with idols?” “What are idols? He has statues,” said Fabro. “I can’t work with idols; they are false gods!” said Markos. “I’m a Christian!” “You can’t work for me if you’re one of those atheist Christians!” Fabro shouted, “Get out of my shop!”
That night Markos and I packed up and left. Markos told me to stay and keep my job, but I told him I was a Christian, too. It was a dark rainy night. To get to the highway we had to go through the rough part of town by the waterfront which wasn’t safe when the sun was up. “Don’t worry,” said Markos as we started out. “Our faith is our shield.”
Help us, Lord, to be true to our hearts and consciences when others pressure us to change our course toward you. Amen.
Guy Johnson