POLYCARP (69-155)
Part 12 of 12 Celebrating Scripture Series
Revelation 2:8-10
“The angel of the church of Smyrna write: ‘These are the words of Him Who is the First and the Last, Who died and came back to life again. I know your affliction and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer, I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten years. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.’”
The devotion, Continuum, showed how the church went on without Jesus, or His disciples. Polycarp was the last man who was personally taught by the apostle, John. John taught in Asia Minor, a land that is now called Turkey. Polycarp mirrored his mentor, John, in many ways. He was appointed bishop of the church at Smyrna.
Polycarp displayed John’s noble Christian spirit. He was gentle, yet inflexible when correcting error. Can you see John (who penned Revelation) smile when Jesus named Smyrna? But he must have flinched when writing down the words we read in today’s opening Scripture—words about persecution. Jesus was talking about John’s spiritual son, Polycarp!
Sure enough, the Romans came looking for Polycarp.
Polycarp hid in a farmhouse. His companions wrote a letter to the Church of Smyrna that said: “while praying he fell into a trance three days before his capture; and he saw his pillow burning with fire. And he turned and said to those that were with him, ‘it must be that I shall be burned alive.’”
Polycarp was arrested on Friday evening. He chatted with the Romans, even ordering food for them (Proverbs 25:21-22). Then he was led away.
The proconsul ordered Polycarp to curse Christ, and bow to Caesar as Lord. Polycarp answered, “Eighty and six years have I served Christ, nor has He ever done me any harm. How, then, could I blaspheme my King who saved me? You threaten the fire that burns for an hour and then is quenched; but you know not of the fire of the judgment to come, and the fire of eternal punishment. Bring what you will.”
Jesus promises a crown of life for whoever remains faithful to Him—even to death.
Take Home Nugget
Polycarp was burned at the stake on February 23, 155. Peter was crucified, and Paul was beheaded in year 67. All received their rewards in heaven—a crown of life from Christ.
All that Jesus asks is that you trust Him: walk by faith and not by sight.
J.D. Griffith
Bibliography:
1. Adapted from an earlier Christian History Story.
2. Aland, Kurt. Saints and Sinners; men and ideas in the early church. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1970.
3. Bacchus, F. J. "Polycarp." The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton, 1914.
4. Hoole, Charles H., translator. "The Martyrdom of Polycarp." http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/ martyrdompolycarp-hoole.html
5. Dan Graves, MSN. “Old Bishop Polycarp.” http://www.christianity.com./2/23/11
The12 part Celebrating Scripture devotional series adapted from In Touch Magazine. In Touch Ministries, Inc. Atlanta, Georgia. June, 2011. Pp. 5-17.
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