1 Maccabees 13:31-35: a reflection

31Now Tryphon deceived the young King Antiochus and killed him, 32and reigned in his place. He put on himself the crown of Asia and brought a great calamity upon the land. 33Simon built up the strongholds of Judea, and walled them all around with high towers, great walls, gates, and bars; and he stored food in the strongholds. 34Simon chose men, and sent to King Demetrius with a request that he grant the country an immunity, because all that Tryphon did was to plunder. 35King Demetrius sent to him according to these words, and answered him, and wrote a letter to him, as follows:

This passage sets two very different leaders side by side. Tryphon deceives and murders the young king to seize power for himself, and brings calamity on the land, ambition serving only himself. Simon, meanwhile, builds up the strongholds of Judea, fortifies and protects, stores food, and seeks freedom for his people. One grasps power for himself, destroying; the other builds up and protects, serving his people. The contrast is stark: self-serving ambition that destroys, and constructive leadership that builds up.

Notice the contrast between Tryphon and Simon. Tryphon's ambition was purely self-serving; he deceived, murdered, and grasped power for himself, bringing calamity on others in his rise. Simon, by contrast, used his position to build up, to protect, to provide for and free his people; his leadership served others, constructing rather than destroying. One leader grasped for himself and destroyed; the other built up and served. The difference was not in their opportunity, but in whether they used it for themselves or for others.

That contrast is worth taking to heart, for it sets before us two ways of using whatever position or influence we have: to grasp for ourselves, or to build up and serve others. We can use our position, like Tryphon, for self-serving ambition, grasping for ourselves regardless of the cost to others; or we can use it, like Simon, to build up, protect, and serve those around us. When you have any position or influence, do not use it for self-serving ambition, grasping for yourself at others' cost; use it, like Simon, to build up and serve others, to protect and provide, rather than to grasp and destroy. Whatever position you hold is an opportunity either for self-serving ambition or for constructive service; choose Simon's way, using your position to build up and serve others, rather than Tryphon's way of grasping for yourself. Let your leadership and influence build up and serve, as Simon's did, not grasp and destroy, as Tryphon's did.

Lord, this passage sets two leaders side by side: Tryphon, who deceived and murdered to seize power for himself, bringing calamity; and Simon, who built up the strongholds of Judea, protected, provided, and sought freedom for his people. One grasped power for himself, destroying; the other built up and served. Show me the contrast. Tryphon's ambition was purely self-serving; Simon used his position to build up, protect, and serve. The difference was not in their opportunity, but in whether they used it for themselves or for others. Take that to my heart, for it sets before me two ways of using whatever position or influence I have: to grasp for myself, or to build up and serve others. I can use my position, like Tryphon, for self-serving ambition, grasping for myself regardless of the cost to others; or I can use it, like Simon, to build up, protect, and serve those around me. When I have any position or influence, keep me from using it for self-serving ambition; help me use it, like Simon, to build up and serve others, rather than to grasp and destroy. Whatever position I hold is an opportunity either for self-serving ambition or for constructive service; help me choose Simon's way, Lord, using my position to build up and serve. Let my leadership build up and serve, not grasp and destroy.