I recently heard the Rev. David Prentice-Hyers mention a story that deeply resonated with me, and I wanted to share it here. It’s a story of Jewish peasants in Galilee, standing together to preserve their dignity and faith in the face of oppression.
In 40 CE, Roman Emperor Gaius Caligula ordered the construction of a statue of himself in the Temple of Jerusalem—a direct challenge to Jewish law. To the Jewish peasants, this was not only an attack on their religion; it was an affront to their identity. They didn’t cower in fear or shrink from this challenge. Instead, they expressed their collective resolve.
Faced with the power of the Roman Empire, thousands of Jewish peasants traveled to meet Petronius, the Roman official tasked with carrying out the emperor’s orders. They didn’t bring weapons. They simply stood firm in their convictions, making it clear that they would not allow this statue to be erected. Some even pledged to sacrifice their lives rather than let it happen.
The impact of their collective action was profound. Petronius, moved by the unity and courage of the peasants, delayed the construction and sent a letter to Caligula explaining the situation. Though the emperor’s death soon after spared the Jewish community from the statue’s construction, the peasants’ courage and unity had already made a lasting mark on history.
This story reminds me of the power of collective resolve. When people stand together in shared conviction, they can create change that no individual could achieve alone. The peasants’ actions weren’t just about preventing one statue; they were about honoring their faith, their dignity, and their collective will. In a world often driven by individualism, this story is a powerful reminder of the strength that comes from standing together in defense of what is right.
Sources
Swarthmore College, “Jewish Peasants Block Construction of Statue of Gaius Caligula in Galilee, 40 CE,” NVD Database, https://nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu/content/jewish-peasants-block-construction-statue-gaius-caligula-galilee-40-ce
Smuggling Grace 