Today’s devotional is kind of an unintentional “Part 2” to yesterdays. It’s another devotional about love, and it’s about the guy whose name has been attached to the celebration. Valentine. And we could say that he lost his head for love.
Let’s go back to 270 A.D. Emperor Claudius II rules Rome with an iron fist, so much so that his other name was Claudius the Cruel. Rome was still conquering new frontiers and needing to defend territory already occupied. This required a strong military presence in many regions. Recruitment for the military was producing fewer and fewer men who were willing to join the ranks. Claudius believed this lack of dedication and duty was caused by romantic interests. Eligible soldiers were more interested in marriage and family than wars and fighting. Therefore, Claudius proclaimed an edict.
All weddings are called off. There will be no more marriages in the Empire. That includes engagements.
The response to such a decree was devastating. Breaking hearts doesn’t seem to be the best way to bolster a military’s morale. How do you recruit young men now? However, Claudius was calloused and cold hearted to the appeals of all the lovers who wanted to be married – or get engaged. Thankfully, there was one who surreptitiously stood up for the forlorn romantics, a priest (or bishop) named Valentine.
Rebelling against the edict, Valentine continued to perform clandestine ceremonies. He knew marriage was a gift from God and those choosing to be married should be allowed. This sentiment and belief cost him dearly.
“Valentine was arrested and dragged before the Prefect of Rome, who condemned him to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his head cut off. The sentence was carried out on February 14.”1 Following his death, he was granted sainthood by the Catholic church.
Truthfully, this is just one of the three major legends surrounding this man – or another with the same name. We disagree with the Catholic doctrine, their priesthood, as well as their bequeathing the title of saint upon the deceased following an examination of their life. However, if this legend has any truth to it at all, we can definitely applaud this man’s efforts and his willingness to go against the laws of the land.
He’s not the only one who lost their head standing up against something that was wrong.
Matthew 14:3-4 says, “For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife. (4) For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.” “John spoke out against Herod’s marriage because he had illegally divorced his previous wife and then seduced and married his brother Philip’s wife named Herodias. The father of Herod’s first wife was the King of Petra, and he later made successful war against Herod Antipas because of how he had disgraced the King of Petra’s daughter.”2
The results of defying the government were severe. “But when Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. (7) Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. (8) And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger. (9) And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her. (10) And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. (11) And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.” (Matthew 14:6-11)
Standing up for what is right seems noble – and it is. But it usually comes at a great cost. We cannot fear what man can do to us. We must fear God and willingly follow His Word.
Will we take our stand today?
1https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/st-valentine-beheaded
2The Enduring Word Commentary