Blandina Tortured for Christ and Stood Firm Never Denying Jesus

Lately I have been really meditating on Matthew 10:32-33 which says, "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.  But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven."  So, as I read today's excerpt from the best selling book Extreme Devotion, I thought what amazing faith this woman had to endure such torture for Christ, and yet not deny Him. All I can say is WOW...

Blandina was a servant who was so filled with God’s power that those who took turns torturing her day and night finally gave up. In fact, her torture seemed to make Blandina’s faith stronger. She boldly proclaimed her faith, saying, “I am a Christian; we will not be ashamed.”

    Blandina was persecuted during the reign of Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (A.D. 161–170). It was during this time that the Christians kept strict records of their sufferings. They hoped to encourage other believers who would follow with the true stories of endurance. 

    Blandina was hung on a post, yet she endured, serving to encourage those who witnessed her torture. Having survived this scenario, she was then put into an arena with lions along with a fifteen-year-old Christian boy named Ponticus, who was encouraged by her example. Blandina did not show despair before the animals but was “rejoicing and exulting at her departure as if invited to a wedding supper.”

    Twice Blandina was thrown before starving lions that would not touch her. Thus, she returned to prison unharmed. She was eventually “torn by the lions, scourged, put into a net and tossed about by a wild bull, and placed naked into a red-hot metal chair.” Yet she lived and encouraged all near her to remain steadfast in their faith. Blandina was eventually killed with a sword after her torturers were unable to make her deny her faith.

Although unrelated to Christian witness, there are situations we can’t seem to escape that are painfully challenging. Raising a difficult child at home. Laboring beside a difficult coworker. Enduring a difficult living arrangement. There are times when we think we can no longer bear the strain and we are tempted to just give up. No matter what the circumstances, God gives us the endurance and the strength to do whatever he calls us to do. God asked Blandina to endure torture. He may prod us to seek help in our parenting, confront our coworker, or undertake some other seemingly impossible task. Injecting the name of Jesus, we can be his witness. Regardless of our scenario, God is with us, giving us patience and even joy. In what areas do you need this extreme endurance that comes only from our gracious God?