Young and Brave

“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” — 1 Timothy 4:12 (KJV)

It is easy to imagine that martyrs were all old, serious saints like Polycarp. Many weren’t. Some were young adults. Some were teenagers.

Around the year 200, in Carthage, in North Africa, a young married woman named Perpetua, about twenty-two years old, was arrested for being a Christian. With her were others, including Felicitas, a young woman who was expecting a baby, and Revocatus, who was a slave. Think about that group: a woman from a respectable family, a slave and a pregnant young mother, side by side, treated as equals because they belonged to Jesus. In the Roman world that alone was remarkable.

They were taken to the amphitheatre, the great arena where crowds watched animals and gladiators, and put to death there. Foxe records it briefly. What stands out is that none of them gave up their faith to save themselves.

In another wave of persecution, in Lyons in France, Christians were again brought into the arena. Among them was a young woman named Blandina. Foxe describes her as “a Christian lady, of a weak constitution,” meaning she was physically frail. Yet she became famous for her courage. Foxe says that when she was put on display before the wild animals, “by her earnest prayers, she encouraged others.” She wasn’t only thinking about herself. She was strengthening the people around her.

When she was brought out the last time, she was with Ponticus, “a youth of fifteen.” Fifteen. Probably about your age. Foxe says that “the constancy of their faith so enraged the multitude” that the crowd showed them no mercy. Both died faithful.

Why does this matter for you? Because it is easy to think that real, costly faith is for later, when you are older, more mature, more sure. These stories say otherwise. Young people have always been capable of great faithfulness. Paul told the young pastor Timothy not to let anyone look down on him because he was young, but to be an example.

Blandina also shows something important. She was physically weak, but her faith made her strong for others. You don’t have to be the confident, popular or strong one to encourage people. One prayer, one word of courage at the right moment, can steady a friend who is wavering.

One thing to do this week: think of a friend who is having a hard time following Jesus at the moment. This week, do what Blandina did: encourage them. Send a message, pray with them, or tell them what God has been teaching you.