How Can I?
I was reading again the story of Polycarp the other day and it got me to thinking about the way Christians seem to play fast and loose with their faith these days. You may not know his story so let me enlighten you and I’m pretty sure that it will have the same effect on you that it had on me. Polycarp was the pastor of the church in Smyrna. Around AD 155 or so, he was put to death by the Romans because he refused to swear an oath of allegiance to Caesar as lord. (Caesar was real big on being identified as a god.) He was an old man of 86 years and had served Jesus Christ for decades. Polycarp was arrested and brought to a stadium where a crowd had gathered to watch the gladiator games. As he was bringing him to the stadium, the irenarch, the equivalent of our chief of police, asked Polycarp, “What harm is there in saying, Lord Caesar? Respect your years.” (meaning “You’re an old dude. What’s the big deal?” Once inside the stadium, Polycarp was brought before the proconsul, the governor of the province, who said, “Swear by the fortune of Caesar; repent… I will set you at liberty, reproach Christ.”
Unbowed, Polycarp replied, “Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He never did me any injury: how then can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?”
“I have wild beasts,” said the proconsul. I shall throw you to them, if you don’t change your attitude.”
“Call them,” replied the old man …
“If you make light of the beasts,” retorted the governor, “I’ll have you destroyed by fire, unless you change your attitude.”
Polycarp answered, “The fire you threaten burns for a time and is soon extinguished: there is a fire you know nothing about–the fire of the judgment to come and of eternal punishment, the fire reserved for the ungodly. But why do you hesitate? Do what you want.” The proconsul was amazed, and sent the crier to stand in the middle of the arena and announce three times: “Polycarp has confessed that he is a Christian.” Then a shout went up from every throat that Polycarp must be burnt alive. In a short time, the spectators piled wood in the middle of the arena. As he waited for the fire to be lit, he prayed:
Lord God Almighty, Father of your blessed and beloved
child Jesus Christ, through whom we have received knowledge of
you, God of angels and hosts and all creation, and of the whole
race of the upright who live in your presence: I bless you
that you have thought me worthy of this day and hour, to be
numbered among the martyrs and share in the cup of Christ, for
resurrection to eternal life, for soul and body in the
incorruptibility of the Holy Spirit. Among them may I be
accepted before you today, as a rich and acceptable sacrifice,
just as you, the faithful and true God, have prepared and
foreshown and brought about. For this reason and for all things
I praise you, I bless you, I glorify you, through the eternal
heavenly high priest Jesus Christ, your beloved child, through
whom be glory to you, with him and the Holy Spirit, now and for
the ages to come. Amen.
The fire was then lit and shortly thereafter a soldier stabbed Polycarp to death by order of the procounsel.
What if that were us? Would we be so bold, so girded with love for Christ, that we were unshaken and unbowed? How easily we sidestep uncomfortable moments and opportunities to give, with firm resolve, evidence of a deep love for Christ. I know I am convicted. May God grant us the strength of will and passion of the soul to love Christ with a love that counts not the cost, but delights in the joy of being numbered with the saints who have tasted the grace of God in Christ. May we have tender hearts and backbones of steel when it comes to the name and the fame of our Savior.
This story makes me think of the girl (whose name eludes me right now) who professed her love for Christ at Columbine High School and was killed as a result. I’ve tried to put myself in her shoes and in the shoes of others who have been barbarically slaughtered for Christ’s name to try to determine how I would handle that type of situation.
In my mind and heart I think and feel that I would do as Polycarp did, but I honestly don’t know for sure. I have to trust that, should I ever be called to give my life for Christ, He would supply the strength and courage for me to do so.
Reading this post and hearing this past Sunday’s sermon (”Meak… Not Weak”) makes me realize how much I need God to make me bold for Him NOW. I’ve been taking my relationship with Him lightly for too long, and I’m thankful that He’s opening my eyes to that.
Nathan,
I think the girl you are thinking of is Cassie Bernall.
I pray we would all have that courage in death and most certainly in life.
Soli Deo Gloria, Nick
I’m surprised at the low level of response to these discussions, but maybe this one will help get somebody going:
Where do we draw the line in obeying the authorities? Romans 13:1-2 says “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.”
I’ve read of Polycarp before but it was refreshing to hear of his story once again. Infact im at work an im trying not to cry infront of my coworkers. How many times have i sold out Christ? Shevi, it’s just words, “Ceasar is Lord.” Lord, forgive me for selling you out, 20 years have I served you, and you’ve never did me any injury: how then can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?