- Feb 9, 2005
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A dear poster had brought to mind a story that I once heard a while back. Since it had inspired me then and now in reflection, I thought that I would share or point out this story with others. In light of us becoming strong through Him during our weakness, let us gather together in Him:
http://www.thelivingwordtbc.com/1cor47.htm
I love the story of the 40 wrestlers. In the days of the Roman Emperor Nero, whose passion was to exterminate the Christians, there lived and served him a band of soldiers known as the Emperors Wrestlers. They were men picked from the best and bravest of the land, recruited from the great athletes of the Roman Amphitheater. In the great amphitheater they upheld the arms of the emperor against all challengers. Before each contest they stood before the emperors throne. Then through the courts of Rome rang the cry, We, the wrestlers, wrestling for thee, O Emperor, to win for thee the victory and from thee, the victors crown.
When the great Roman army was sent away to fight in Gaul, no soldiers were braver or more loyal than this band of wrestlers led by their centurion Vespasian. Even though Christians were the target of persecution, many Roman soldiers were being converted. News reached Nero that some of his soldiers had accepted the Christian faith. The decree was straightway dispatched to his officers, If there be any among your soldiers who cling to the faith of the Christians, they must die!
Vespasian received the decree in the dead of winter. The soldiers were camped on the shore of a frozen inland lake. Vespasian called his soldiers together and read the Emperors decree. He asked, Are there any among you who cling to the faith of the Christians? If so, let him step forward. Instantly 40 wrestlers stepped forward two paces, respectfully saluted, and stood at attention. Vespasian paused for he had not expected so many, nor such select ones. He continued, The decree has come from your emperor that any who cling to the faith of the Christians must die! For the sake of your country, your comrades, and your loved ones, renounce this Christian faith. Not one of the forty moved.
Vespasian then said, Until sundown I shall await your answer. Sundown came and again the question was asked, Are there any among you who cling to the faith of the Christians? If so, let him step forward. Again, the forty wrestlers stepped forward and stood at attention. Vespasian pleaded with them long and earnestly without prevailing upon a single man to renounce his faith. Finally he said, The decree of the emperor must be obeyed, but I am not willing that your comrades should shed your blood. I am going to order that you march out upon the lake of ice, and I shall leave you there to the mercy of the elements. The warmth of the fire, however, will be waiting to welcome any willing to renounce Christ.
The forty wrestlers were stripped and then marched toward the center of the lake. As they marched they broke into a chant similar to the one in the arena, Forty wrestlers, wrestling for Thee O Christ, to win for Thee the victory and from Thee the victors crown. Through the long night Vespasian stood by his campfire and watched. As morning drew near one figure, overcome by exposure, crept quietly toward the fire; in the extremity of his suffering he had renounced his Lord. Then faintly but clearly from the darkness came the song: Thirty-nine wrestlers, wrestling for Thee, O Christ, to win for Thee the victory and from Thee, the victors crown.
Vespasian looked the figure drawing close to the fire and then out into the darkness whence came the song of faith. Then as if he saw the eternal light shining there in the center of the lake, suddenly, off came Vespasians helmet and clothing, and he ran out onto the ice crying, Forty wrestlers, wrestling for Thee O Christ, to win for Thee the victory, and from Thee, the victors crown. (From My Favorite Illustration by Carl G. Johnson, Baker Bookhouse, 1972, p.116-118)
Here is the call for each of us. Who will step forward and take the place of those who are gone? Who will give their life in light of the resurrection?
I hope you enjoy this illustration as much as I do.
http://www.thelivingwordtbc.com/1cor47.htm
I love the story of the 40 wrestlers. In the days of the Roman Emperor Nero, whose passion was to exterminate the Christians, there lived and served him a band of soldiers known as the Emperors Wrestlers. They were men picked from the best and bravest of the land, recruited from the great athletes of the Roman Amphitheater. In the great amphitheater they upheld the arms of the emperor against all challengers. Before each contest they stood before the emperors throne. Then through the courts of Rome rang the cry, We, the wrestlers, wrestling for thee, O Emperor, to win for thee the victory and from thee, the victors crown.
When the great Roman army was sent away to fight in Gaul, no soldiers were braver or more loyal than this band of wrestlers led by their centurion Vespasian. Even though Christians were the target of persecution, many Roman soldiers were being converted. News reached Nero that some of his soldiers had accepted the Christian faith. The decree was straightway dispatched to his officers, If there be any among your soldiers who cling to the faith of the Christians, they must die!
Vespasian received the decree in the dead of winter. The soldiers were camped on the shore of a frozen inland lake. Vespasian called his soldiers together and read the Emperors decree. He asked, Are there any among you who cling to the faith of the Christians? If so, let him step forward. Instantly 40 wrestlers stepped forward two paces, respectfully saluted, and stood at attention. Vespasian paused for he had not expected so many, nor such select ones. He continued, The decree has come from your emperor that any who cling to the faith of the Christians must die! For the sake of your country, your comrades, and your loved ones, renounce this Christian faith. Not one of the forty moved.
Vespasian then said, Until sundown I shall await your answer. Sundown came and again the question was asked, Are there any among you who cling to the faith of the Christians? If so, let him step forward. Again, the forty wrestlers stepped forward and stood at attention. Vespasian pleaded with them long and earnestly without prevailing upon a single man to renounce his faith. Finally he said, The decree of the emperor must be obeyed, but I am not willing that your comrades should shed your blood. I am going to order that you march out upon the lake of ice, and I shall leave you there to the mercy of the elements. The warmth of the fire, however, will be waiting to welcome any willing to renounce Christ.
The forty wrestlers were stripped and then marched toward the center of the lake. As they marched they broke into a chant similar to the one in the arena, Forty wrestlers, wrestling for Thee O Christ, to win for Thee the victory and from Thee the victors crown. Through the long night Vespasian stood by his campfire and watched. As morning drew near one figure, overcome by exposure, crept quietly toward the fire; in the extremity of his suffering he had renounced his Lord. Then faintly but clearly from the darkness came the song: Thirty-nine wrestlers, wrestling for Thee, O Christ, to win for Thee the victory and from Thee, the victors crown.
Vespasian looked the figure drawing close to the fire and then out into the darkness whence came the song of faith. Then as if he saw the eternal light shining there in the center of the lake, suddenly, off came Vespasians helmet and clothing, and he ran out onto the ice crying, Forty wrestlers, wrestling for Thee O Christ, to win for Thee the victory, and from Thee, the victors crown. (From My Favorite Illustration by Carl G. Johnson, Baker Bookhouse, 1972, p.116-118)
Here is the call for each of us. Who will step forward and take the place of those who are gone? Who will give their life in light of the resurrection?
I hope you enjoy this illustration as much as I do.
Feel free to post what helps you find strength in the Lord.
May God bless you.
May God bless you.
............. 
