Yekatit 26 — March 05

Hosea the Prophet, Who Told About Jesus

Today we remember a good man named Hosea (we say it HO-zay-uh). He was a prophet, which means God chose him to speak His words to the people. Hosea lived a long, long time ago, when five different kings ruled the land of Judah.

God gave Hosea important things to say. He told the people to stop doing wrong and to come back to God, who loved them and wanted to take care of them. Hosea cared about the people, so he spoke God's words bravely.

Best of all, Hosea told about Jesus, who would come many years later. He said that even people who did not know God yet would one day become God's own children. That promise was for everyone, all around the world.

Hosea also told a happy secret: that Jesus would rise from the dead. He said that after a short time, God would make His people live again and lift them up. This came true at Easter, when Jesus rose on the third day and beat death so we can live with God forever.

Hosea served God for about seventy years. His life made God glad, and he grew very old. Then God called him home in peace.

I will call those who are not My people, and I will make them My people, and they shall call Me their God.— Hosea the prophet

Saint Sadok and His Brave Friends

We also remember Saint Sadok (we say it SAY-dok) and a big group of his friends who all loved God very much. There were so many of them that they were like one big family, trusting God together.

A king named Behram wanted everyone to bow down and worship the sun instead of God. But Sadok knew the sun is not God. God made the sun. So Sadok said no, kindly but bravely. He wanted to worship the One who made the sun and the sky and everything else.

Sadok told the king that Jesus is the true God, the One who made the sun shine. He was not afraid to say what was true, because he loved God with his whole heart. His friends felt the same way, and they stood beside him.

The king was angry that they would not change their minds, and Sadok and his friends were not allowed to live. But before that, Sadok stood up and prayed quietly to God, whom he trusted completely.

Then something beautiful happened. A bright light came down from heaven and shone all around. The people watching saw the light, and their hearts filled with courage. They called out together, "We are Christians! We believe in our Lord Jesus Christ!" Now Sadok and all his friends are safe and happy with God forever, in heaven where there is no more sadness.

I did not come to worship the sun, which we can see, but to worship its Creator who made it.— Saint Sadok