This past Sunday was my attempt at preaching from the Apocrypha. I used I Maccabees as my text, re-telling the story of the Maccabean Revolt and introducing the story of Hanukkah.

In the story was the lesson of Mattathias. I have become fascinated by his incredible faith and boldness. When his village was confronted with sacrificing a desecrated offering or dying, Mattathias chose the possibility of death. The order from the soldiers was to sacrifice an improper sacrifice to show loyalty to the empire. Mattathias, as village elder, bluntly refused. His people were radically monotheistic and there was no way on earth he was going to go back on that belief. Not after hundreds of years of getting it wrong as a nation. Not after 70 years of captivity to learn the lesson. NOT NOW.

Another Jewish elder didn’t mind. He would have rather lived in compromise of faith than die for his God, his people, and his faith. Turns out he died anyway because Mattathias killed him on the pagan altar.

There needs to be a call in our day. We are people of Jesus Christ. We love him. We serve him. We serve no other god. Not in this nation, this culture, this world, or this age.

In this Christmas season (and YES, I know Jesus wasn’t born in December), I want to declare my love for the Savior of this world. In this season I want to declare my radical allegiance to my Savior. I don’t want the gods of this world any more. I want to know Christ fully. My life needs to be attached to him. He is the Master Teacher. I am the apprentice.