2 Maccabees 14:37-46: a reflection

37Now information was given to Nicanor against one Razis, an elder of Jerusalem, who was a lover of his countrymen and a man of very good report, and one called Father of the Jews for his good will. 38For in the former times when there was no mingling with the Gentiles, he had been accused of following the Jews’ religion, and had risked body and life with all earnestness for the religion of the Jews. 39Nicanor, wishing to make evident the ill will that he bore against the Jews, sent above five hundred soldiers to seize him; 40for he thought by seizing him to inflict an injury on them. 41But when the troops were at the point of taking the tower, and were forcing the door of the court, and asked for fire to burn the doors, he, being surrounded on every side, fell upon his sword, 42choosing rather to die nobly than to fall into the hands of the wicked wretches, and suffer outrage unworthy of his own nobleness. 43But since he missed his stroke through the excitement of the struggle, and the crowds were now rushing within the door, he ran bravely up to the wall and cast himself down bravely among the crowds. 44But as they quickly gave back, a space was made, and he fell on the middle of his side. 45Still having breath within him, and being inflamed with anger, he rose up, and though his blood gushed out in streams and his wounds were grievous, he ran through the crowds, and standing upon a steep rock, 46when as his blood was now well near spent, he drew forth his bowels through the wound, and taking them in both his hands he shook them at the crowds. Calling upon him who is Lord of life and spirit to restore him these again, he died like this.

This passage introduces a man named Razis, an elder of Jerusalem. Before recounting his death, it tells us who he was: a lover of his countrymen, a man of very good report, called Father of the Jews for his goodwill, who had risked his body and his life for his faith and his people. His reputation was earned, not sought, the fruit of a long life of genuine love and self-giving for others.

Notice how Razis came to be so honored: not by seeking honor, but by genuine love and goodwill toward his people. He was called Father of the Jews because he had truly loved and served them, risking himself for their good over many years. His good name was the natural fruit of a life poured out in love for others; the reputation followed the reality. He did not chase a good name; he earned it by being genuinely devoted to the good of others.

That is worth taking to heart in an age when many chase reputation directly, seeking to be well thought of while giving little of themselves for others. A good name of the kind Razis had is not gained by seeking it, but by genuine love and self-giving for others over time; the reputation is the fruit, not the goal. Do not chase a good name for its own sake; give yourself in genuine love and service to others, and let whatever good name you have be the earned fruit of that love. A reputation sought directly is hollow; a good name earned by real love and goodwill toward others, as Razis earned his, is worth having. Give yourself to the genuine good of others, and let your name, if it is honored, be honored for that.

Lord, this passage tells of Razis, called Father of the Jews for his goodwill, a man of very good report, who had risked his body and life for his people; his reputation was earned, not sought, the fruit of a long life of genuine love and self-giving for others. Take that to my heart. Razis came to be honored not by seeking honor, but by genuine love and goodwill toward his people; his good name was the natural fruit of a life poured out in love, the reputation following the reality. In an age when many chase reputation directly, seeking to be well thought of while giving little of themselves, remind me that a good name of this kind is not gained by seeking it, but by real love and self-giving over time. Keep me from chasing a good name for its own sake. Help me give myself in genuine love and service to others, and let whatever good name I have be the earned fruit of that love. Give me a heart devoted to the genuine good of others, like Razis.