This day, April 23rd, is said to be the day on which a particular Christian martyr was slain for the testimony of Jesus Christ back in AD 303. He was a soldier, by the name of George.
Among the few other things that we are told about George's life before his martyrdom, is that at one point, he slew a dragon (which I believe could have been a dinosaur). This account was told as history for centuries.
The way I read it, there was a region that was ravaged by a terrible dragon, which terrorized the pagan people of the land. To placate its hunger, they would leave out a couple of sheep on a regular basis. This only worked until they ran out of sheep. In the face of the vicious threat, the people began to cast lots for whose children would be put out for the beast to devour. How dark and despairing the circumstances must have been! To save their own lives, they were giving up their own children to the appetite of the dragon.
But then, one day, the lot fell on the daughter of the king. In desperation, her father offered great rewards to anyone who would take her place. There were no takers, and the tearful daughter was removed to the place of slaughter away from town, and bound there to await the creature.
However, along came George the soldier, who seeing her tears and distress, inquired of the cause, and upon hearing the situation, manfully set himself to battle with the dragon, despite the maiden's pleas for him to save himself.
The dragon appeared, and ferociously attacked, but the courageous George relented not, but fought valiantly and finally slew the dragon. When the townspeople emerged, they discovered the princess alive and whole, and their dread nemesis slain. They joyously received George, who refused reward, giving God the glory and preaching the Gospel unto them. Just about the whole community professed faith in Jesus Christ and were baptized as Christians.
That is the story of saint George and the dragon. A tale of Interposition.
INTERPOSITION: to position oneself between two parties; to
intercede; to take up the cause of one and face the other; to entreat on behalf
of another; to encounter the foe; take the hit; to strike the blow; to stand in
the face of incoming danger in defense of others.
George played the role of hero in this legend. He steadfastly engaged to defend the innocent and the weak from the vile beast. He came on the scene, and his actions and testimony led to repentance and faith on the part of the people of the land.
Today, there is a fearsome dragon of monstrous proportions, feasting on the children of our culture, who are sacrificed to it by parents for their own sake. THIS dragon's violence is protected by the governing leaders, and promoted by society. Even those in leadership who profess to oppose the dragon are making rules to decide who they will protect for now, and who they will permit to be eaten. This dragon's name? Abortion. And none of the players in this scenario thus far are playing the true hero.
The most oppressed people in the land (the preborn), who are being murdered daily for the appetites of pride and lust and greed, need a Christian to NOT follow the multitude to do evil (Exodus 23:2-3,6-8).
Are we not to love our neighbors, including the least of these, as ourselves?
Are we not to take up the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, and engage for the lives of these poor and needy?
Are we not to bring the Gospel of Jesus to the secret places where they murder the innocent, and shine the Light of the truth of the Scriptures on the lair of the dragon?
Are we not to open our mouths to call out to our leaders for justice and plead for truth?
Are we not to be a testimony of the Truth, calling people to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ?
Duty is ours. Results are God's.
Don't seek to make the dragon less gory in its murder.
Don't seek to make the dragon wait a fortnight to eat, thinking that it may change its mind.
Don't seek to limit the dragon to consuming just smaller children.
Slay the Dragon. Abolish Abortion.
Abortion must be abolished.
