Commemoration of Justin, Martyr (Observed)
Hebrews 10:19-25, 31-36/St Matthew 7:24-29
In the Name + of JESUS. Amen.
Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Heb 12:1).
This encouraging and edifying text from the Epistle to the Hebrews serves as the chief defense for the Christian Church’s remembrance of those who have gone before us in the faith. The saints in Christ are a gift of God to His Church. There is great benefit in remembering them; their life of faith and good works. Not for the sake of veneration, worship, or intercession, as Rome falsely teaches, and to which the Eastern Church comes dangerously close. Rather, the Church catholic has long remembered the saints for three reasons: First, to give thanks to God for giving faithful servants to His Church. Second, through such remembrance our faith is strengthened as we see the mercy that our Lord has extended to His saints of old. Third, the saints are examples by which we may imitate both their faith and their holy living according to our own calling in life (AC XXI).
One such individual, remembered by the Church on June 1, was Justin, commonly known with the manner of his death becoming his surname: Martyr. Justin Martyr was born in Judea in A+D 100. He was a Gentile pagan, spending his early life flitting from one philosophical worldview to another. I suppose modern ecumenists would call him “a seeker;” though we known from St Paul, No one seeks after God, no one is righteous (Rm 3:11). St Augustine, however, famously said that our Lord God made man for Himself and man is restless until he finds his rest in the Lord. Perhaps this describes Justin. Perhaps you.
In any case, Justin searched for metaphysical meaning from the Stoics, then attending a Peripatetic school, which followed the doctrines of Aristotle, but this man was more concerned with his money, than teaching. He then went to a Pythagorean philosopher, but did not want to study music, astronomy, and geometry. Finally he adopted Platonism. Through all this he had hoped to encounter God, which was, theoretically, the end of Plato’s philosophy.
It was during this time Justin met a Syrian Christian whom he describes as “a certain old man, by no means contemptible in appearance, exhibiting meek and venerable manners” (Dialogue with Trypho, Ch 3). This man engaged Justin in theological debate concerning the nature of God and revelation of truth. He asserted that the testimony of the prophets, by which he meant the both the Old Testament, but also the New Testament apostles, was more reliable than the reasoning of philosophers and that Christ is the chief Wisdom from God the Father who reveals Himself by the Divine Spirit.
The authority of this man’s words, which were not his, but Christ Jesus, the Word made flesh, who handed over doctrine as one who had authority, created true faith in Justin. He renounced all his former philosophies and began studying the Old and New Testaments and the lives of the early martyrs. Perhaps as a piece of divine irony and as a touch stone for our Gospel text this evening, Justin encountered this aged Christian man on the sea shore. Everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.
This was Justin. His former worldviews and beliefs were constructed on sand. When the rain fell and the floods came and the wind beat against him, the house he had built from his own intellect, his own morality, his own mysticism, fell. So it is with all attempts to reach God or to know Him apart from His self-revelation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The old philosophies are the new spiritualities. They all come to ruin.
Brethren, you have a confidence by which you enter the abode of the Lord; it is not earthly wisdom, philosophical chicanery, or highly idilic morals. Rather, In many and various ways God spoke to His people of old by the prophets, now in these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son. You are given to enter the holy places, to penetrate the fellowship and wisdom and love of the Blessed Holy Trinity by the very blood of Jesus Christ, who took up flesh as the GodMan and has sprinkled you clean by pouring out His life for you.
This worldview flies in the face of all Stoicism and Platonism, but it the grounded, material reality of the life-giving living God in the flesh. He is the Rock and Ground of Faith upon whom the Father has built His Holy House, the Church. It shall withstand rain and wind and floods, the very gates of hell shall not prevail against her!
By all appearances this was the confession of Justin Martyr. And it certainly is the confession of the true faith once delivered to the saints. By the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, it is your confession. Hold it fast, even as wind and rain and flood mount themselves around you. Even as you see the earth give way and the sand houses fall to ruin. Even as you endure reproach and affliction, possible imprisonment and plundering, do not throw away this confidence to stand before the Most High God on the last day, covered in the righteous blood of Christ Jesus who is Wisdom from God.
For the day is surely drawing near, beloved. Many scholars and theologians have noted the increasing similarity of our 21st century culture with that the 1st and 2nd centuries. It is true. Secular paganism is growing, persecution waits in the wings, martyrdom is nearly at our door. It was for Justin. Holding fast the good confession, Justin publicly debated the pagan philosophers he once championed. He dismantled the very worldviews he previously espoused. It landed him in prison and eventually cost him his life. It is entirely plausible that you could some day pay the same price.
And during the interrogation before his beheading, Justin was repeatedly asked to give up the location of his fellow Christians; where did they meet? For Rome such gatherings were potentially political threats. Yet for the believer, the gathered congregation of the saints in and around and with the Blessed Holy Trinity, represented the very family of God, those redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ His Son. This is in part why the author to the Hebrews exhorts, Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
For within the community of the Church is life together with the Holy Trinity, being joined to the very essence and nature of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, having been baptized into the Name, your hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience. Take heart beloved and be of good courage, for you have a Great High Priest over the House of God, you are joined in the common language of the faithful. Even Justin Martyr’s description the liturgical life of the Church in his day is remarkably similar to ours today. Consider this quote from his First Apology addressed to Antonius Pius and his adopted son, Marcus Aurelius,
"On Sunday we have a common assembly of all our members, whether they live in the city or the outlying districts. The recollections of the apostles, which are called Gospels, or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as there is time. When the reader is finished, the president of the assembly [elder] speaks to us; he urges everyone to imitate the examples of virtue we have heard in the readings. Then we all stand up together and pray. On the conclusion of our prayer, bread and wine and water are brought. The president offers prayers and gives thanks to the best of his ability, and the people give assent by saying, “Amen.” The Eucharist is distributed, everyone present communes, and the deacons take it to those who are absent. The wealthy, if they wish, may make a contribution, and they themselves decide the amount. The collection is placed in the custody of the president, who uses it to help the orphans and widows and all who for any reason are in distress, whether because they are sick, in prison, or away from home. In a word, he takes care of all who are in need. We hold our common assembly on Sunday because it is the first day of the week, the day on which God put darkness and chaos to flight and created the world, and because on that same day our Savior, Jesus Christ, rose from the dead. For He was crucified on Friday, and on Sunday He appeared to His apostles and disciples and taught them the things that we have passed on (traditioned) for your consideration."
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God, who together with the Son and + the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory and dominion now and forever. Amen.
Hebrews 10:19-25, 31-36/St Matthew 7:24-29
In the Name + of JESUS. Amen.
Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Heb 12:1).
This encouraging and edifying text from the Epistle to the Hebrews serves as the chief defense for the Christian Church’s remembrance of those who have gone before us in the faith. The saints in Christ are a gift of God to His Church. There is great benefit in remembering them; their life of faith and good works. Not for the sake of veneration, worship, or intercession, as Rome falsely teaches, and to which the Eastern Church comes dangerously close. Rather, the Church catholic has long remembered the saints for three reasons: First, to give thanks to God for giving faithful servants to His Church. Second, through such remembrance our faith is strengthened as we see the mercy that our Lord has extended to His saints of old. Third, the saints are examples by which we may imitate both their faith and their holy living according to our own calling in life (AC XXI).
One such individual, remembered by the Church on June 1, was Justin, commonly known with the manner of his death becoming his surname: Martyr. Justin Martyr was born in Judea in A+D 100. He was a Gentile pagan, spending his early life flitting from one philosophical worldview to another. I suppose modern ecumenists would call him “a seeker;” though we known from St Paul, No one seeks after God, no one is righteous (Rm 3:11). St Augustine, however, famously said that our Lord God made man for Himself and man is restless until he finds his rest in the Lord. Perhaps this describes Justin. Perhaps you.
In any case, Justin searched for metaphysical meaning from the Stoics, then attending a Peripatetic school, which followed the doctrines of Aristotle, but this man was more concerned with his money, than teaching. He then went to a Pythagorean philosopher, but did not want to study music, astronomy, and geometry. Finally he adopted Platonism. Through all this he had hoped to encounter God, which was, theoretically, the end of Plato’s philosophy.
It was during this time Justin met a Syrian Christian whom he describes as “a certain old man, by no means contemptible in appearance, exhibiting meek and venerable manners” (Dialogue with Trypho, Ch 3). This man engaged Justin in theological debate concerning the nature of God and revelation of truth. He asserted that the testimony of the prophets, by which he meant the both the Old Testament, but also the New Testament apostles, was more reliable than the reasoning of philosophers and that Christ is the chief Wisdom from God the Father who reveals Himself by the Divine Spirit.
The authority of this man’s words, which were not his, but Christ Jesus, the Word made flesh, who handed over doctrine as one who had authority, created true faith in Justin. He renounced all his former philosophies and began studying the Old and New Testaments and the lives of the early martyrs. Perhaps as a piece of divine irony and as a touch stone for our Gospel text this evening, Justin encountered this aged Christian man on the sea shore. Everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.
This was Justin. His former worldviews and beliefs were constructed on sand. When the rain fell and the floods came and the wind beat against him, the house he had built from his own intellect, his own morality, his own mysticism, fell. So it is with all attempts to reach God or to know Him apart from His self-revelation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The old philosophies are the new spiritualities. They all come to ruin.
Brethren, you have a confidence by which you enter the abode of the Lord; it is not earthly wisdom, philosophical chicanery, or highly idilic morals. Rather, In many and various ways God spoke to His people of old by the prophets, now in these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son. You are given to enter the holy places, to penetrate the fellowship and wisdom and love of the Blessed Holy Trinity by the very blood of Jesus Christ, who took up flesh as the GodMan and has sprinkled you clean by pouring out His life for you.
This worldview flies in the face of all Stoicism and Platonism, but it the grounded, material reality of the life-giving living God in the flesh. He is the Rock and Ground of Faith upon whom the Father has built His Holy House, the Church. It shall withstand rain and wind and floods, the very gates of hell shall not prevail against her!
By all appearances this was the confession of Justin Martyr. And it certainly is the confession of the true faith once delivered to the saints. By the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, it is your confession. Hold it fast, even as wind and rain and flood mount themselves around you. Even as you see the earth give way and the sand houses fall to ruin. Even as you endure reproach and affliction, possible imprisonment and plundering, do not throw away this confidence to stand before the Most High God on the last day, covered in the righteous blood of Christ Jesus who is Wisdom from God.
For the day is surely drawing near, beloved. Many scholars and theologians have noted the increasing similarity of our 21st century culture with that the 1st and 2nd centuries. It is true. Secular paganism is growing, persecution waits in the wings, martyrdom is nearly at our door. It was for Justin. Holding fast the good confession, Justin publicly debated the pagan philosophers he once championed. He dismantled the very worldviews he previously espoused. It landed him in prison and eventually cost him his life. It is entirely plausible that you could some day pay the same price.
And during the interrogation before his beheading, Justin was repeatedly asked to give up the location of his fellow Christians; where did they meet? For Rome such gatherings were potentially political threats. Yet for the believer, the gathered congregation of the saints in and around and with the Blessed Holy Trinity, represented the very family of God, those redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ His Son. This is in part why the author to the Hebrews exhorts, Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
For within the community of the Church is life together with the Holy Trinity, being joined to the very essence and nature of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, having been baptized into the Name, your hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience. Take heart beloved and be of good courage, for you have a Great High Priest over the House of God, you are joined in the common language of the faithful. Even Justin Martyr’s description the liturgical life of the Church in his day is remarkably similar to ours today. Consider this quote from his First Apology addressed to Antonius Pius and his adopted son, Marcus Aurelius,
"On Sunday we have a common assembly of all our members, whether they live in the city or the outlying districts. The recollections of the apostles, which are called Gospels, or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as there is time. When the reader is finished, the president of the assembly [elder] speaks to us; he urges everyone to imitate the examples of virtue we have heard in the readings. Then we all stand up together and pray. On the conclusion of our prayer, bread and wine and water are brought. The president offers prayers and gives thanks to the best of his ability, and the people give assent by saying, “Amen.” The Eucharist is distributed, everyone present communes, and the deacons take it to those who are absent. The wealthy, if they wish, may make a contribution, and they themselves decide the amount. The collection is placed in the custody of the president, who uses it to help the orphans and widows and all who for any reason are in distress, whether because they are sick, in prison, or away from home. In a word, he takes care of all who are in need. We hold our common assembly on Sunday because it is the first day of the week, the day on which God put darkness and chaos to flight and created the world, and because on that same day our Savior, Jesus Christ, rose from the dead. For He was crucified on Friday, and on Sunday He appeared to His apostles and disciples and taught them the things that we have passed on (traditioned) for your consideration."
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God, who together with the Son and + the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory and dominion now and forever. Amen.
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