Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Marvelous (10/10/24)
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TITLE: An Encounter with Two Travelers | Previous Challenge Entry
By Donna Powers
10/15/24 -
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My name is Binyamin, and I am a traveler from Samaria. I am skilled at my trade and have always been able to make a living as I travel from place to place. You may wonder why I am here in Rome – so far from home. That story is the reason for my contemplation.
Are you a man of faith, fellow travelers? Ah, a fellow Jew. I am glad to hear it. I have been devoted to the service of Yahweh since I was a boy and had no desire to stray from my faith. Yet, there was no escaping the news from far and wide about the group who followed the Man called Jesus. Many in my congregation defected and went to follow Him and His followers. I had no interest in it; there have always been false religions, and I was certain the teachings of Jesus and His followers were just as false.
I didn't even pay much attention when I heard that he had supposedly performed miracles and healed sick people - or even that He had raised a dead man. Yet, even after this Jesus was put to death, his followers continued to spread His teachings. I even heard some say Jesus was the promised Messiah. Imagine that!
But I paid those rumors no mind. I resolved to continue to serve Yahweh as I always have. Then, I heard about another group that was talking about miracles. These men were called Simonites and were followers of a man called Simon Magnus. Simon came from Gitta, and he claimed to practice magic. Some said he could perform some of the same acts they attributed to the followers of Jesus. Detractors called him a sorcerer and disputed his claims that he embodied the "Great Power of God." His renown in Samaria began to rival that of the followers of Jesus. His devotees called him marvelous; some claimed Simon had healed them.
A few months ago, a fellow traveler told me Simon had gone to Philip, one of those who taught about Jesus. They say Simon asked Philip to help him join the cause of Jesus. They say he even followed their custom of baptism. I was astonished because what kind of sorcerer would abandon his quest for followers and follow Jesus's cause?
Well, it seems I was right because I learned that although Simon traveled with the followers of Jesus for a short time, he had done so to learn how to emulate the miracles they performed in Jesus' Name. He wanted to use the Power of Jesus for his own profit. He eventually offered to pay the group's leaders to reveal the secrets of the wonders they performed.
One of their leaders, Peter, became furious with Simon and admonished him. Peter told Simon his heart was not right with God and warned him of trying to use God's Power for profit. Simon angrily left Jesus' followers and established the Simonians, who spread his teaching through the land. Word reached us in Samaria that Simon planned to demonstrate his power by flying.
It was then I became curious about Simon and felt strangely compelled to witness his deeds with my own eyes. I traveled to Rome and watched him climb to the top of the Roman Forum. He spoke of the power he believed he had from God, promised to fly, and then spread his arms wide.
As I watched him, I became convinced of his claims. He had such a sure sense of confidence. Even from the distance of the crowd where I stood, I saw his unwavering conviction in his power. At that moment, Simon truly seemed marvelous to me. His arms spread wide, and – for just a few glorious moments – he stretched, suspended, in the sky.
And then – he fell to his death.
What does it mean, fellow traveler? Did Simon ever possess any divine power? Did he fall because he attempted to deceive Jesus' followers?
This last thought haunts me. What if Jesus's power is strong enough that those who oppose Him are in danger of dying from the outreach of his hubris? Perhaps Jesus is the marvelous One, after all.
What do you think?
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This story is based on Acts 8:9-25
Additional references:
https://bibleask.org/who-was-simon-the-sorcerer/
https://www.gotquestions.org/Simon-the-Sorcerer.html
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