Entering the Arena
The kindly old bishop entered the arena under armed guards. The stands were filled with an angry mob; their shouts filled the air. Suddenly, a voice from heaven spoke to the bishop, saying, “Be strong, Polycarp, and play the man.” Despite the noise from the crowd, many of those who stood nearby also heard the heavenly voice. Once inside the arena, the soldiers quickly brought Polycarp before the Roman proconsul.
Standing Firm for Christ
Polycarp, the well-known Bishop of Smyrna, was the last living link with the twelve apostles, as he had studied under John. As soon as the crowd learned that this famous bishop had been arrested, a great cheer went up.
The proconsul tried to get Polycarp to deny Jesus Christ: “Swear by the fortune of Caesar. Take the oath and I will release you. Curse Christ!”
The bishop stood firm. “Eighty-six years have I served the Lord Jesus Christ, and He never once wronged me. How can I blaspheme my King who has saved me?” The proconsul threatened, “I have wild beasts ready, and I will throw you to them if you do not change your mind.”
“Let them come, for my purpose is unchangeable,” replied Polycarp. “If the wild beasts don’t scare you, then I will burn you with fire,” said the proconsul.
“You threaten me with a fire which will burn for an hour and then will go out, but you are ignorant of the fire of the future judgement of God reserved for the everlasting torment of the ungodly. But why do you delay? Bring on the beasts, or the fire, or whatever you choose; you shall not move me to deny Christ, my Lord and Savior.”
Proclaimed a Christian
When the proconsul saw that Polycarp would not recant, he sent the herald to proclaim three times in the middle of the stadium, “Polycarp has professed himself a Christian.”
As soon as they heard these words, the whole multitude of Gentiles and Jews furiously demanded that he be burned alive. Immediately dry wood was brought out and heaped in the center of the arena for a bonfire.
Miraculous Deliverance in Fire
When they were about to nail him to the stake, Polycarp said, “Leave me as I am; He who gives me strength to endure the fire will enable me to remain still within the fire.” They agreed to this and simply tied his hands behind his back with a rope.
In his final prayer, he prayed, “O Father, I thank You, that You have called me to this day and hour and have counted me worthy to receive my place among the number of the holy martyrs. Amen.” As soon as he uttered the word, “Amen,” the officers lit the fire. The flames rose high above his body, but miraculously, he was not burned.
Those who watched said, “He was in the midst of the fire, not as burning flesh but as gold and silver refined in a furnace. And we smelled such a sweet aroma as of incense or some other precious spice.”
Since the fire did not hurt him, the executioner was ordered to stab him with a sword. As soon as he did, so much blood flowed from the wound that it put out the fire.
Faithful Until Death
Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:10.
Date: 4th February 2023
Martyr: Polycarp
Location: Smyrna (now Izmir, Turkey) 168 AD
Source: Jesus Freaks
Author: DC Talk, The Voice of Matyrs
Suffering Saturday 026
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