Throughout history, many Christians have been persecuted and even martyred for their faith. Their stories can teach us important lessons about what it means to truly follow Jesus Christ.
Faithfulness to the Point of Death
One of the most striking things about Christian martyrs is their willingness to suffer and die rather than renounce their faith in Christ. For example, Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, was burned at the stake in 155 AD after refusing to recant his belief in Jesus. As the flames surrounded him, Polycarp said, “For eighty-six years I have served him, and he has done me no wrong. How then can I blaspheme my King and Savior?” (Martyrdom of Polycarp, 9). His steadfast faithfulness, even to death, challenges all believers to consider if we would cling to Christ under such extreme circumstances.
Courage in the Face of Danger
Many martyrs displayed incredible courage as they faced persecution and death. During the early decades of the church, volatility toward Christians was common. Any member could be apprehended and executed at any time. Despite the constant danger, early believers persevered in meeting together and spreading the gospel. Their boldness stemmed from an eternal perspective and deep love for Christ. Perpetua, martyred in 203 AD, even made arrangements for the care of her infant son before her execution, more concerned with his welfare than her own (The Passion of Perpetua and Felicity). Such courage under threat of harm stands out as a model for all Christians in the face of adversity and danger.
Sacrifice Over Safety and Comfort
In the face of persecution, martyrs chose faithfulness to Christ over personal safety and comfort. They sacrificed their own lives rather than escape and protect themselves. For example, early Christians often met in underground catacombs to avoid detection. However, when commanded to offer incense to Caesar as divine, many refused, even though it meant arrest and execution. They treasured their relationship with Christ above earthly life. Their sacrificial example causes us to evaluate if we prioritize comfort and security rather than obedience to God’s commands.
Hope in Eternal Life
Martyrs through history demonstrated extraordinary hope as they faced death. They looked forward to the promise of eternal life given through Christ’s death and resurrection. As he was burned alive, the influential church reformer John Hus sang hymns of hope in God’s redemption. Augustine described the faithful fervor of 86-year old Perpetua as she approached the arena on the day of her execution. Her sacrificial death points to a central hope in the life to come that empowered early believers to face persecution (Sermon 280-281). Martyrs’ steadfast hope inspires modern Christians to also live in light of eternity.
Willingness to Forgive
Remarkably, many martyrs have even forgiven their persecutors. Stephen exemplified this as he was stoned to death, praying, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60). In the 1500s, English Reformer Nicholas Ridley forgave those who condemned him to die, saying, “I forgive them with all my heart” (Foxe’s Book of Martyrs). Their Christ-empowered forgiveness, even in the face of death, stands as a convicting model of how Christians should respond to enemies and persecutors.
Perseverance Through Suffering
The suffering endured by martyrs for the faith seems unimaginable. Historical records describe Christians being fed to wild beasts, slow-roasted over flames, having body parts dismembered, even skinned alive. Yet they persevered. A 2nd century letter describes Polycarp meeting his death by burning “like bread baking or gold being melted in a fire” (Martyrdom of Polycarp). God gave these believers supernatural strength to endure horrific torments without renouncing their faith. Their steadfast perseverance through intense pain inspires Christians today to also remain faithful through whatever sufferings we may experience for the gospel.
Witness Even in Death
For martyrs, faithfulness to Christ and bearing witness to the gospel did not end at death. In fact, their steadfast courage as they were killed often impacted onlookers more profoundly than words ever could. At Polycarp’s execution, for example, the crowd was moved to mourn his death, saying, “Destroy the wicked fellows. This is the teacher of Asia, the father of the Christians, and the overthrower of our gods” (Martyrdom of Polycarp). Through their deaths, these martyrs amplified their witness to Christ. Their commitment inspires modern believers to proclaim the hope of the gospel loudly through both our lives and words, whether in life or death.
Counting All as Loss for Christ
From influential church leaders to ordinary mothers and children, martyrs through history shared a common perspective – nothing was more valuable than following Jesus Christ. Paul said it clearly: “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8). Every earthly comfort and relationship paled in comparison to the treasure of Christ. For this supreme treasure, martyrs willingly gave their very lives. Their example spurs us to examine if we cling too tightly to what is fleeting versus what is eternal.
Supernatural Joy and Peace
Astoundingly, martyrs have often faces death with joy and peace that defied their circumstances. The early Christian apologist, Justin Martyr, told Roman rulers that his impending death would actually allow him to “go to God for whom I live.” As he knelt to be beheaded in 1572, Reformer Thomas Hawkes even kissed the hand of the executioner, saying he forgave him. Again and again, accounts describe martyrs meeting their deaths with calm assurance and inner rejoicing that God granted them grace to remain faithful. Their joy transcended agony and challenges all of us to cling closely to Christ as our true source of peace and contentment through every circumstance.
Living for Something Greater
Ultimately, Christian martyrs demonstrated with their very lives that following Christ is worth giving up everything for. They lived vibrantly for something greater than themselves – the glory of God, the advance of His kingdom, and the hope of eternity. Life on earth was not their ultimate purpose; God had called them to something higher. Luther expressed it well when he wrote, “For Christ I suffer, for Christ I die, Christ I have, Christ is mine.” Martyrs challenge all believers to evaluate if we are living for purposes beyond just earthly comfort and self-preservation.
Leaving a Legacy of Faith
While enemies of the gospel intended to silence Christians through martyrdom, these killings often had the opposite effect. Martyrs left a powerful legacy that echoed far beyond their own lives. After Polycarp’s death, other believers facing persecution were inspired by his example to remain strong. The impact of Stephen’s radical forgiveness as he was stoned flows all the way to us today. According to tradition, Stephen’s example even pricked the heart of Saul of Tarsus – later known as the Apostle Paul. Martyrs remind us that a courageous witness for Christ, even in death, can amplify and perpetuate faith among others for generations to come.
Union with Christ
In the end, martyrdom represented the ultimate union between believers and their Savior, who also suffered and died. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul said, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). Death meant gaining the fulfillment of eternal life with his Lord. Early Christians facing death would even reference Jesus’ own words of promise: “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). As horrific as persecution was, martyrdom allowed complete union with Christ. All believers can be encouraged that the sufferings we face for the gospel bring us into deeper communion with Jesus, our Suffering Savior.
Christian martyrs’ remarkable stories of sacrifice, courage, and faithfulness inspire and convict believers today to persevere in loyal obedience to Christ. Through remembering their extraordinary example, we are spurred on to live radically for Jesus and proclaim His gospel, no matter the cost.