Boniface (755 AD)

March 7th, 2025
by Jon Holaday

Boniface was greatly used in Germany. From an early childhood, he choose vocation of the church. He was ordained at age 30. Pope Gregory II commissioned him to evangelize Germany. He could have easily chosen a cushy office to live out a long life without pain! He thoroughly rejected that option! In a town near him, he entered and began to cut down a oak tree named Thor's Oak! Trees in many parts of the world today have very religious meanings and this is a death sentence to do! As he chopped at its base, the villiagers expected the god Thor to strike him with lightning. When the tree hit the ground, it busted and the people instantly knew that his God was superior and at work. Most converted to Christ and Boniface made a chapel out of this oak trees wood. It still stands today called Fritzler chapel. Boniface never wanted to settle down and remained taking more territory for Christ' kingdom. He desired to reach a town of pagans called Frisia, brought a large group of priests. On Pentecost eve, he called for all the new converts to meet him at Dokkum. Well, instead, Boniface & company was ambushed by a gang of local vigilantes who savagely killed him and 52 Christians. The powers of Rome wanted to make him comfortable and coast out his retirement in safety. Instead, Boniface chose missions for Christ & in Frisia, would be martyred. He that seeks to save his life will lose it but he who lays down his life for Christ and the gospels sake, will find it! Boniface achieved eternal life because he laid down his life and chased after Christ. What say you?