An Inspirational Message for March 2025 - By Charles Schokman

An Inspirational Message for March 2025 – By Charles Schokman

An Inspirational Message for March 2025

In Jesus’ day, the declaration that “Jesus is Lord” carried far more cultural and political significance—and consequences—than it does for many of us today, depending on where we live in the world.

An early Church Father named Polycarp (c. 69–155 AD) was the Bishop of Smyrna (modern-day İzmir, Turkey). He was believed to be a disciple of John the Apostle and played a key role in preserving and defending apostolic teaching against early heresies. Polycarp was highly respected among early Christians, and his writings, especially his Letter to the Philippians, provide valuable insight into the theology and practices of the early Church.

Polycarp was martyred around 155 AD under Roman persecution. His death is famously recorded in The Martyrdom of Polycarp, one of the earliest Christian martyrdom accounts. He was arrested and brought before the Roman proconsul in an arena filled with spectators eager to see him executed for their entertainment. The proconsul urged Polycarp to deny Christ and swear allegiance to Caesar as Lord by offering incense to the emperor. Polycarp refused, declaring:

“Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How then can I blaspheme my King and my Saviour?”

The proconsul then ordered him to shout, “Away with the atheists,” a term used to describe Christians who refused to worship the Roman gods or Caesar as divine. Instead, Polycarp pointed at the mocking crowd and boldly cried out, “Away with the atheists!”

Condemned to be burned at the stake—after first being threatened with being thrown to wild beasts—Polycarp remained steadfast. According to tradition, when the fire was lit, it miraculously formed a shield around him and did not consume his body. Witnesses claimed the flames appeared like a glowing furnace rather than a fire burning flesh. Since the fire failed to kill him, an executioner was ordered to stab him with a dagger, causing so much blood to flow that it reportedly extinguished the flames.

Polycarp’s martyrdom remains a powerful testimony of faith, inspiring Christians even today, nearly 1,870 years later. His story demonstrates unwavering devotion in the face of persecution. While we may not experience such extreme levels of suffering in the West as our brothers and sisters do in places like North Korea, China, the Middle East, and Northern Africa, we can still draw encouragement from his example and gain insight into the dedication of the early Church, which followed Jesus despite the high cost.