Who Was St. Patrick?

Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Have you noticed? Suddenly, the color GREEN is everywhere today. TODAY is recognized as St. Patrick’s Day, but did you know that the founder of this holiday, Patrick, was in reality the first Christian missionary to Ireland.

Patrick (389 - 461 AD), born in Britain, is widely known as the first Christian missionary to the Irish people. During his youth (from 16 to 22 years old), he was captured and taken to Ireland. While there, young Patrick repented of his sinful, backslidden condition. Years later, after escaping to his homeland, he received a vision from God calling him to return to the Irish people to proclaim the Gospel of Christ. Patrick obeyed God's call and went back. For the remainder of his life, Patrick ministered among the unreached tribes of Ireland - confronting Irish idolatry and pagan sorcery, converting many to Jesus Christ, and baptizing thousands of people. Its interesting to note here that the “symbol” of this holiday is the “Four Leaf Clover”, but tradition tells us that Patrick used the more common THREE LEAF clover to teach about the Trinity: How there is ONE GOD, yet unity in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

According to historian William Federer, who wrote St. Patrick: The Real History of His Life, From Tragedy to Triumph, "He was actually a missionary and he converted 120,000 druids from paganism to Christianity." Federer claims that in the fifth century A.D., Patrick did more than perhaps anyone in history to spread Christianity in Europe. Although druids attempted to kill him over a dozen times, Patrick continued to preach the message of Jesus Christ, and throughout his ministry he pioneered over 300 Christian churches. Patrick also spoke out against slavery, and because of this, some call him the world's first abolitionist. Our passage today is a very familiar one, but something we should remember as Jesus’ last words, the message He wanted to leave with His disciples regarding the importance of Going into the world to preach the gospel. He didn’t promise it would be easy, He didn’t caution His followers to only go to those who would receive them, He simply told them (and us) to GO into ALL THE WORLD. Patrick followed God’s command and went BACK to bless those who had cursed him. Scripture says in Romans 12:14-21 “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. ‘Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be conceited. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord. To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” This, my brothers and sisters, is EXACTLY what St. Patrick did, and should be a reminder to us TODAY to do the same!

SO, Happy St. Patrick's Day, everyone!! Let’s take this day to PRAY for our current missionaries all over the world who are preaching the Gospel, and spreading the GOOD NEWS that God loves them, and sent His only Son to die for their sins so that they could receive the FREE GIFT of eternal life through BELIEVING in Jesus Christ. Some missionaries are in similar situations as St. Patrick was, persecuted for their faith, imprisoned, and executed. Let us stand with these brothers and sisters today and pray God’s special anointing and deliverance and freedom to complete the mission God has assigned to them.

Shalom, sister Lahoma

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