Polycarp lived between the years of 70 and 155AD. He was student of the apostle John, one of Jesus’ closet friends. John appointed Polycarp Bishop of Smyrna, an ancient Greek city where he served faithfully for many years. Polycarp is known as being one of the most famous early church fathers in history. He was among the most influential to combat Gnostic heresies that were beginning to spread through the early Christian church. The Caesar during this time was Marcus Aralias and the Roman authorities under his command were eager to eliminate this fast growing religious movement that proclaimed the Christ as Lord.
After refusing to conform to the Roman instigation of Caesar worship, Polycarp was arrested for being part of this politically dangerous cult and was brought before the Roman proconsul and surrounded by an angry mob shouting for his execution. However, the Romans took pity on the old man, who at this stage would have been well into his eighties, and they urged Polycarp to proclaim that Caesar is Lord and offer a small offering to Caesar’s statue in order that he might avoid torture and execution. In response Polycarp spoke the following words for which he has become most renowned, “"Eighty-six years I have served Christ, and He never did me any wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?”
Following this the Romans prepared to burn Polycarp at the stake as he offered up his last prayer. The fire was lit but to the crowd’s astonishment the flames did not consume Polycarp but instead they swirled around him as if a wall of wind was between him and the flames. The chief executioner then drove his sword through Polycarp leaving this old church father dead.
Instead of discouraging Christians as the Romans had expected, Polycarp’s faith inspired many believers, empowering them to become resistors of the faith as Polycarp had been. As a result, today there are countless testimonies of Christians who have boldly bore witness to the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
The martyrdom of Polycarp shows us that God does not allow death because He is helpless or unable but rather because death is a powerful declaration of the free gift of life given to us.
The incredible declaration of faith shown by Polycarp should be an example to us of how dearly we should hold our Christian faith. On the one hand, imagine how easy it would have been for this frail old man to simple pay homage to Caesar and save his own life. On the other hand think of how that was never really an option for Polycarp who’s faith ran so deep that even the threat of death could not move him from it.
In closing I want to present two questions for thought in light of the story of Polycarp.
Firstly, Would my faith stand firm if put to the test?
Secondly Does my love for the patterns of this world prevent me from finding total freedom in Christ?
The last thing I want to share is a passage from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians; at the end of the book where he gives this young church some final instructions. Reading from Chapter 16 verse 13 and 14.
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.
The resistance of Polycarp shows us that in all circumstances, God’s will can and will be done. It’s through people like Polycarp but also through people us who aren’t as different to Polycarp as we may think.
(Greg Rulfs)
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