Polycarp was the Bishop of Smyrna in the mid-second century.  As an outspoken Christian, his position became tenuous with the Roman authorities.  Christians in the Roman Empire at that time were under heavy persecution because they refused to worship Ceasar as God. Justice in the Roman Empire regarding the "crime" of believing in Jesus as the Son of God was a strange affair: Christians were spared persecution if they would only renounce their allegance to Christ and acknowledge Ceasar as God.

Polycarp, as a man in his late eighties, was taken to a country house for safety by a group of his friends.  When it became known that the authorities were after him, his friends helped him move to an even safer location.  The soldiers found two servant boys at the original house, however, and immediately set upon torturing them to determine the whereabouts of Polycarp.  One of them divulged his location.  Receving word of this, Polycarp chose not to flee any futher, deciding instead to face his foes, saying simply, "The will of God be done."  When they arrived, instead of resistance or flight, the Roman soldiers found Polycarp and his many friends in preparation of a feast prepared in their honor.  In near disbelief, the Roman soldiers partook of the feast, and were therefore inclined to listen to the prayers of Polycarp and his followers.  These prayers reportedly lasted for almost two hours, and focused upon the wellbeing and salvation of the soldiers and their superiors.  It was said that many were moved by this, and, seeing the condition of the old man Polycarp, wondered at the justice of capturing the man.  Eventually, Polycarp was taken.

When he was brought into town, the officials, Irenarch Herod and his father Nicetes, both joined him on the last leg of the journey to the stadium.  Riding wit h Polycarp, they implored him to simply speak a few words to save his own life.  As was told by his friends who were eye-witnesses, the officials said to Polycarp, "What harm is there in saying, Lord Ceasar, and in sacrificing, with the other ceremonies observed on such occasions, and so make sure of safety?"  But Polycarp said he would not do as they recommended.  Eventually the officials got mad at him because he wouldn't speak a few simple words and spare his life. 

Arriving at the stadium, Polycarp was greeted with a crowd of bloodthirsty pagans, anxious for his death.  The proconsul in charge of the affair, noticing his feebleness and advanced age, again implored him to speak words of "safety."  "Swear, and I will set you at liberty, renounce Christ," said the proconsul.  But Polycarp was resolute, replying, "Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He never did me any injury: how then can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?"

Polycarps refusal to acknowledge Ceasar as Lord, and his refusal to deny Christ as the risen Savior, sealed his fate.  With the crowd loud and cheering, an attempt was made to burn him at the stake.  This, however, failed to kill him.  To finish the job, Polycarp was stabbed to death.

I would like to thank Pastor Tom Ascol for sharing this story during his sermon this morning.  It is a beautiful picture of the ability of the Holy Spirit to sustain one in times of horrendous circumstances, the love of Christ that transcends earthly sufferings, and the extent to which Christians throughout the ages have been willing to go to prove and uphold their faith in Christ. 

This story, and so many others like it throughout history, are so inspiring simply because men like Polycarp are so few.  Most men, when confronted with difficulty and tough choices, sadly do not stand on their beliefs and principles.  Counting the cost to themselves, saying anything to save their own skin, taking expedience and pragmatism over principle and absolutes, they sell out for a price.  Some men sell out for comfort, some for wealth.  Some sell out for reputation and status, others for power.  But when confronted by evil, by wrong circumstances, by injustice, by threat to personal peace and affluence, heroes stand on principle.  Regardless of cost to self, heroes do what's right, simply because it's right. 

I have seen both examples on display in my life.  I have seen men beat their chest and "talk a good game" but choose ease, comfort, and the almighty dollar over principle.  This is always followed by flowery explanations and justifications of "need" and expediency.  On the contrary, I've witnessed men who take stands because they believe in what they are doing and will pay whatever price necessary to maintain the courage of their convictions.  It is those in this second category to whom I give my admiration, loyalty, and encouragement.

There is a lot of talk and interest in the candidates currently running for political office.  To me, one of the greatest points of analysis concerning who may or may not be worthy to hold high office in our land should be to determine how they have behaved in times of crises.  Did they take the easy or most expedient road?  Did they decide for personal power, prestige, or wealth?  Or did they stand for what was right regardless of cost or personal risk?  Remembering that the Polycarps of the world are few, and the pragmatics are many, I will be making my selections of whom to vote for very carefully.

When it comes to leadership and the principles that make a great leader, I will be looking to follow those who choose the high road regardless of risk or cost, simply because it is the right road.  Those who decide for the sake of personal considerations, comforts, or income will also be going without my vote.  I may like them, but I will never follow them.

And finally, and not least of all, I hope that every Christian reading this page is inspired by the example of Polycarp and his love and devotion to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  We Christians should be just as willing to renounce all for the sake of our testimony in Christ.  And for those unfamiliar with God's grace and his finished work of redemption through Christ on the cross, I hope that the eyes of your soul will be opened to your need of Christ.

God bless you.