18 December 2016

My dear readers,

His Wonderful Name - I

(Dr SH Tow, Reformation Banner Sept / Oct 1978)  

JUSTIN MARTYR, one of the heroes of the faith, lived in the 2nd century A.D. From his youth he had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and truth. He was constantly asking questions about the deep things of life. Can a man know God. How can the longings of the soul be satisfied? 

In his noble quest, he received various teachings from the philosophers and thinkers. The Stoics said, "The world is God's body. To go about searching for God is foolish. The important thing is to practise virtue." 

The disciples of Aristotle asked for tuition fees before the lesson could begin. Justin thought it strange that teachers of the truth should be so money-minded. 

The disciples of Pythagoras said, "If you want the happy life, you must be well versed in music, astronomy and geometry!" 

Plato's followers said, "Flee the world and you will be like God. Cast off the bodily prison and seek the world of pure spirit. Forsake your physical desires and you will find the truth." Justin tried to put this into practice, but the emptiness of soul remained. 

A little while later, Justin met the Christians. People had joined this group even though it was illegal. The Roman Emperor saw in Christianity a threat to his position. The Christians spoke of a kingdom and this worried him. What would happen if more and more people became Christians? 

So the Romans began to persecute Christians. They were despised, arrested and tortured. In extreme cases, they were fed to the lions in the sporting arena. 

In spite of all this, the Christians increased in numbers. Justin's curiosity was greatly aroused. What was it that gave common folk such courage to endure suffering and death? 

One day, while walking on a lonely hillside, he met a saintly old man reading an ancient parchment. 

"What book are you reading, sir?" Justin asked. 

"This is the Book of life. It tells of the deep things of God." 

Justin's face lighted up immediately. "Pray tell me more. This is what I have been seeking for." 

The old man expounded the Scriptures as Justin listened intently. "This Book tells of a Heavenly Kingdom of eternal joy and peace and love, where evil and hatred, sorrow and pain, sickness and death, are unknown." 

Justin had never heard such things before. "Tell me, sir, who are the inhabitants of the Heavenly Kingdom?" 

The old man's eyes looked up, "In the Heavenly Kingdom, God rules supreme, attended by armies of angels and Heavenly people — men and women who had followed Jesus in their lifetime." 

Justin thought to himself. "That's the place for me!" 

"Sir, how can one get to the Heavenly Kingdom?" he asked.

"Young man, just one way, by faith in Jesus." Turning to the Book on his lap, he read from John's Gospel: "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." 

But Justin still doubted. "How can a name have such power?" The old man replied, "Christ is no ordinary name. It is the name of God's Son, Saviour of the world. Jesus conquered sin and death by dying on the cross and rising again the third day. Now He reigns in power and glory at God's right hand. The name of Jesus has power to save and to change lives. It can save you, my friend." 

In a flash, the truth dawned on Justin, and a flame of faith was kindled in his heart. The name of Jesus took on new meaning. It became precious. While all the great philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle were dead and buried, Jesus Christ was alive and reigning in heaven. He is the living Saviour! 

Justin became an ardent follower of Jesus. Going about the city, he began to witness for the Lord. Everywhere he went, he proclaimed his wonderful name. 

Justin became a defender of the Christian faith. His knowledge of the other religions, as well as of the Bible confounded his adversaries. Soon he became the champion of the Christians. 

Christianity's most formidable opponent was the State. The Roman Emperor was disturbed by the growth of the Church. Heathen temples were becoming deserted. The temple rulers and the craftsmen were alarmed. The rich profits from their practice of magic and sorcery, as well as from sale of idols and religious articles, were being taken away from them. 

The enemies of the Church raised an outcry. All sorts of lies and slanders were spread to create ill-feeling towards the Christians.  (To be continued)

God bless you, dear readers.

Yours faithfully in the Saviour’s Service, 

Dr SH Tow, Sr Pastor