The Martyr's Cry
Hebrews 12:1–2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
Polycarp was the pastor of the church in Smyrna and a disciple of the Apostle John. History records that he was arrested and brought before a Roman official who pressured him to deny Christ. At over 80 years old, Polycarp refused. His words still echo today: “Eighty-six years I have served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?” For his faith, he was sentenced to death and burned at the stake, yet he stood firm to the end.
This courage didn’t come from Polycarp’s strength but from his Savior. He had taken Jesus’ words seriously: “Be faithful, even to the point of death.” Polycarp knew that faithfulness mattered more than survival. He understood that his life was not in the hands of Rome but in the hands of Christ. His story became an inspiration for generations of Christians who would also face trials and persecution.
Smyrna, the city he pastored, was famous in the ancient world for its athletic competitions, similar to the Olympic games. When Jesus promised the church a victor’s crown, the people of Smyrna would have pictured the laurel wreath given to athletes who finished their race. That imagery made the promise vivid: stay faithful, endure the struggle, and the true prize—eternal life with Christ—awaits you.
Polycarp’s life and Smyrna’s setting remind us that following Jesus is not a sprint but a marathon. The race requires endurance, and the prize is worth every step. Faithfulness in the face of trial, like an athlete pressing through exhaustion, leads to eternal victory.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for the example of Polycarp and countless others who endured faithfully to the end. Give me the same courage to stand for You no matter the cost. Help me run my race with perseverance, keeping my eyes on the true prize—life with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
Polycarp was the pastor of the church in Smyrna and a disciple of the Apostle John. History records that he was arrested and brought before a Roman official who pressured him to deny Christ. At over 80 years old, Polycarp refused. His words still echo today: “Eighty-six years I have served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?” For his faith, he was sentenced to death and burned at the stake, yet he stood firm to the end.
This courage didn’t come from Polycarp’s strength but from his Savior. He had taken Jesus’ words seriously: “Be faithful, even to the point of death.” Polycarp knew that faithfulness mattered more than survival. He understood that his life was not in the hands of Rome but in the hands of Christ. His story became an inspiration for generations of Christians who would also face trials and persecution.
Smyrna, the city he pastored, was famous in the ancient world for its athletic competitions, similar to the Olympic games. When Jesus promised the church a victor’s crown, the people of Smyrna would have pictured the laurel wreath given to athletes who finished their race. That imagery made the promise vivid: stay faithful, endure the struggle, and the true prize—eternal life with Christ—awaits you.
Polycarp’s life and Smyrna’s setting remind us that following Jesus is not a sprint but a marathon. The race requires endurance, and the prize is worth every step. Faithfulness in the face of trial, like an athlete pressing through exhaustion, leads to eternal victory.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for the example of Polycarp and countless others who endured faithfully to the end. Give me the same courage to stand for You no matter the cost. Help me run my race with perseverance, keeping my eyes on the true prize—life with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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