Polycarp: A Martyr for the Messiah

"For eighty and six years, I have been His servant and He has never done me wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?"

It was in A.D. 156 that persecution against Christians broke out in the province of Asia. There is a letter from the Smyrnaean Church that bears record. The authorities had decided to kill Christians. The reasons for doing so were not fully clear.

At eighty-six years old, Polycarp was a target for persecution because of his forceful ministry against paganism. He was known as the "atheist" by pagans, because they said he was a destroyer of their gods. From the perspective of the pagans, Polycarp worshiped a "dead man." He was an irritation to the pagans.

Local believers insisted that he hide from authorities. Polycarp's hiding out did not last. After torturing a servant, authorities learned of his whereabouts and found him hiding in a hay loft. Being that he was up in age, the authorities thought putting him to death was useless. They wanted Polycarp to deny his faith to save his life. What a victory that would be for the pagans and what a blow to the "cult" of Jesus. They addressed Polycarp saying, "What harm is there in saying Caesar is Lord and offering incense and saving your life?" The proconsul begged him to have respect for his age. "Swear by the divinity of Caesar, repent and say, "away with the atheists, take the oath and I will let you go."

"But Polycarp with his face set, looked at all the crowd in the stadium and waved his hands toward them, sighed, looked up to heaven, and cried, "Away with the godless!" The governor still continued to press him saying, "Swear, and I will set you free; execrate(to declare to be evil or detestable) Christ." Polycarp replies, "For eighty-six years, I have been His servant and He has never done me wrong, how can I blaspheme my King who saved me?" They threatened him further with beasts. The proconsul then threatened to burn him with fire. Polycarp answered, "The fire you threaten burns for a time and is soon extinguished; there is a fire you know nothing about-the fire of the judgement to come and of eternal punishment, the fire reserved for the ungodly. But why do you hesitate? Do what you want." Just then, a shout went out that Polycarp was to be burned alive. The crowds rushed to collect wood from workshops and public baths. When the wood was stacked, Polycarp began to pray, when he finished the prayer and offered up the amen, the men in charge lit the fire, and a great flame shot up.

Polycarp actually sat at the feet of John, the beloved. He forms the last link with those who had seen Christ in the flesh. His death, though a great loss to the believers in Smyrna, was a great victory for the Christians! Many unbelievers were horrified by what happened. Polycarp's death ended the persecution in Asia and paved the way for those not as courageous, to openly declare their faith in Messiah.