Faith in the Face of Death
Six Christians climbed up on the judgment platform. Below them, a vast crowd had gathered in the marketplace to watch their trial.
One by one, the others were questioned and confessed their faith. As soon as it was Perpetua’s turn, she saw her aged father holding her infant child in his arms. “Have pity on your baby,” he begged. The judge took up her father’s cause. “Spare your father’s white hairs, spare the tender years of your child. Offer a sacrifice for the welfare of the Emperor.” Perpetua answered, “I will not sacrifice.” “Are you a Christian?” the judge demanded. “I am a Christian,” was her answer.
The judge passed sentence: Perpetua and her fellow Christians were all condemned to be killed by wild beasts as a show for the crowd on Caesar’s birthday.
Courage in Prison
Five of the six were new converts, the other, Saturus, was the one who had first told them about Jesus. Saturus had not been there when the others were arrested, but when he heard about it, he turned himself in and joined them in prison. During their stay in prison, they continually told others about their faith. The day before the games, as the prisoners had their last meal, a crowd gathered. The believers spoke to the crowd with their usual courage, threatening them with the judgment of God, calling to witness their happiness at giving their lives. Saturus said, “Note our faces well, that you may recognize us on the Day of Judgment.” The pagans left the prison surprised at their peace and joy in the face of death. Later, many became believers themselves.
Visions of Triumph
On the day before she was to die, Perpetua had a vision from God, which she recorded with her own hand: “I saw Pomponius the deacon come to the door of the prison and knock loudly…. He was wearing a white robe without a belt, with strange shoes on his feet. He said, ‘Perpetua, we are waiting for you. Come.’ “I saw a huge crowd watching eagerly. And because I knew that I was condemned to fight the beasts, I was amazed that no beasts were let loose on me. Then a mean-looking Egyptian came out with his attendants to fight against me. At the same time handsome young men came to me to be my attendants and supporters… “And a man came out, amazingly tall, so that he rose above the top of the amphitheater, wearing a purple robe… and with strange shoes made of gold and silver on his feet; he carried a wand like a trainer, and a green bough with golden apples on it. He asked for silence and said: ‘If this Egyptian prevails over this woman, he shall kill her with a sword; and if she prevails over him, she shall receive this bough.’ Then he left.
“We approached one another and began to use our fists. My opponent wanted to catch hold of my feet, but I kept on kicking his face with my heels. Suddenly I was lifted up into the air and began to kick him like someone who no longer walked on earth. But when I saw that the fight was by no means over, I joined my two hands, linking the fingers of the one with the fingers of the other. And I caught hold of his head and he fell on his face; and I walked on his head. “The people began to shout and my supporters started to sing psalms. I came forward to the trainer and was given the bough. He kissed me and said to me, ‘Peace be with you, my daughter.’ Proud of my triumph, I began to go to the gate of life. At that moment I awoke. And I perceived that I would not be fighting with beasts but with the devil. But I knew that the victory was mine.”
That night, Saturus also had a vision. He wrote: “We began to be carried eastwards by four angels whose hands did not touch us…”
To Be Continued…
Date: 29th August 2023
Martyrs: Perpetua, Saturus, & Felicitas Carthage
Location: North Africa 202 AD
Source: Jesus Freaks
Authors: DC Talk and The Voice of the Martyrs
Suffering Saturday 053
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