That feeling, that desperate scramble for survival, echoes through the ancient story we're about to explore. It's a snapshot of chaos and resilience, a moment where faith and family are tested in the crucible of conflict.

We find ourselves with Jonathan, that key figure in the Maccabean saga. He's not alone, of course. His brother Simon is right there with him, as are all their loyal followers. They're on the run, fleeing into the wilderness of Thecoe. Imagine them, exhausted and wary, finally finding a place to pitch their tents by the water of the pool Asphar. A moment of respite, perhaps? But in this story, peace is always fleeting.

News reaches Bacchides, the Seleucid general, that Jonathan and his band are near. And what does Bacchides do? He doesn't hesitate. He gathers his entire host and advances toward the Jordan River, ready to strike. And here's the kicker: it's the Shabbat, the Sabbath day. A day meant for rest and reflection. But war, it seems, knows no such boundaries.

Now, Jonathan, ever the strategist, had anticipated some trouble. He had a plan. He sent his brother John – also a captain – on a crucial mission. John was to go to their friends, the Nabathites, and ask them to safeguard their baggage, their carriage, which, we’re told, was considerable. You can picture it, can't you? All their supplies, perhaps even valuables, entrusted to the care of these allies.

But tragedy strikes. The children of Jambri, emerging from Medaba, intercept John. They seize him and everything he has, and vanish. Just like that, a carefully constructed plan falls apart. A trusted brother captured. Vital supplies lost. It’s a devastating blow.

This brief passage from the Book of Maccabees I (9) isn’t just a historical account. It’s a study in the precariousness of life. The constant threat of betrayal, the ever-present danger lurking just around the corner. It reminds us that even in the midst of struggle, even when our plans go awry, the bonds of family and community are what sustain us. What would you do in Jonathan's place? How would you carry on after such a crushing setback? It's a question that resonates even today, doesn't it?