Day 46 

“Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.” Rev 2:10-11 NASB.

From the book: “The Martyrdom of Polycarp” we find that Polycarp was the elderly bishop of Smyrna around 155 AD. A crowd in the stadium clamoured for his arrest. But when mounted police arrived at his cottage to arrest him, he served them a banquet, requesting an hour of prayer before they took him away. The soldiers marvelled at his graciousness and lamented that they were required to arrest him. As he marched into the stadium to the roar of the crowd a voice from heaven said, “Be strong, Polycarp.” 

He was brought before the Proconsul (governor), who out of respect for his age tried to persuade him by offering a simple way out that included cursing the name of Christ. Polycarp responded, “Eighty and six years have I served him and he has done me no wrong, how then can I blaspheme my King who saved me?” 

When the Proconsul then threatened him with fire, Polycarp responded, “You threaten me with a fire that burns for just an hour, because you don’t know about the fire of judgment that will come upon all the ungodly. But why do we delay? Bring what you will!” And so Polycarp died for his faith. 

The threat of death for Christians is not an issue in much of today’s world. It may be easy to consider texts and stories like this irrelevant to our daily lives, especially if we live comfortably in the suburbs. But there is still much to be learned here. The martyrdom of our brothers and sisters in the past and in the present challenges us to count the cost of our faith. How would we fare if placed in similar circumstances? Can our faith grow and mature without such challenges? How much is Jesus truly worth to us?