Valentine: Martyr for Jesus

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     Happy Valentine's Day!  February 14th has been a day dedicated to showing those closest to us our love.  Like many holidays, it has become commercialized and cheapened over the years by many. Others celebrate it to its fullest.  I love holidays and I love to have any reason to celebrate anything!

    Did you know that there actually was a man named Valentine who has been granted the status of "saint" by the Roman Catholic church?  Did you know that Valentine was a martyr for the Christian faith?  While much of his story is clouded in legend, there are several snippets that have been confirmed by historians. Anyone who stood for Jesus in the face of death deserves the highest honor. Here is Valentine's story:

    In the third century AD, there was an emperor of Rome, named Claudius III.  He was a very cruel emperor.  One of the cold decrees he made outlawed marriage in the Roman Empire. His reasoning was that unmarried men had less ties to a family and were better soldiers. One of his goals was to build up the Empire with a strong military. 

    During this time there was a priest by the name of Valentine. This was a fairly common name at the time, so it is unclear if this is only one man, or two different men with similar stories.  Valentine was a doctor who became a priest. He was called to many homes of the Roman elite for his reputation as a "miracle worker." This priest loved to grow roses and gave them to the members of congregation, according to legend. We know he performed many marriages, in defiance of the law made by the Emperor Claudius.  For this crime he was thrown into prison.  

    While in prison, he became friends with his jailor who was impressed by his knowledge.  The jailor brought his blind daughter to Valentine to be tutored in her studies.  Some accounts say that Valentine and the girl fell in love. We don't know for sure. However, when it came time for Valentine to be executed, apparently he sent a farewell note to the girl in which he signed off with, "From Your Valentine." From this comes our tradition of sending cards or notes on Valentine's Day. During his stay in prison, Valentine continued to preach about the love of Jesus to other prisoners.  Valentine was given the opportunity to recant his Christian in exchange for release from his sentence. He would be required to worship the Roman gods. After being stoned and beaten, he was beheaded on February 14, 270.

    Admittedly, over the years, our society has over-commercialized and trivialized this day of rememberence. Whatever your attitude toward Valentine's Day, honoring a man who stood for the gospel in the face of torture and death is worth our time and attention.  Revelation 6:11 speaks of those martyred for Jesus. They will be given white robes and assured that their deaths will be avenged. Revelation 20:4 speaks of those beheaded for their faith reigning with Christ. Jesus holds those people in a special place of honor. We do well to learn of them. These are among the clouds of witness who kept their eyes on Jesus through unimaginable horrors. 

     I pray we are never called to martyrdom. There is no question that if we live a godly life we will suffer persecution of some sort. Today, as we honor those we love, remember a man who gave all for his love for Jesus.  I look forward to meeting this great Christian one day and hearing the full truth behind the legends!

Soli Deo Gloria!

💓 Heather Sparks 💓

    

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