SEARCHLIGHT
How committed are you to Jesus Christ?
SCRIPTURE
Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for 10 days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victors crown. Revelation, 2:10 NIV
SPOTLIGHT
The time was when Licinius was the Roman Emperor. He viciously ruled around 316 A.D. by declaring a persecution of Christians. Licinius had 40 Roman soldiers condemned to death if they did not renounce their faith in Jesus Christ. Tradition has it that they were known as “wrestlers” but not in the sense as we today know the word. These men were the elite fighting team for the Emperor. It is said that they would chant the words:
40 wrestlers…Wrestling for thee O Emperor…
To win for thee the victory…And from thee, the victor’s crown
One wrestler became a Christian. Through his personal witness, all of the wrestlers became Christians. The entire team, 40 powerful men, became an army of followers of Jesus Christ.
When Licinius found out about this elite group becoming devoted to Jesus Christ, he was infuriated. Immediately he threatened them with execution. However, he also promised that they would live if they denounced Jesus Christ.
He instructed other Roman soldiers not to kill them but instead to diligently try to convince them to change their minds. In the cold winter, 40 Roman wrestlers were taken out to a frozen lake. They were stripped of all their clothing and then commanded to stand out on the ice. How would they respond as their human bodies were exposed to the freezing temperatures? The human body can only endure so much before it begins to experience hypothermia.
There stood the finest of the Roman army, in a circle, freezing to death. They began chanting:
40 wrestlers…Wrestling for thee O Christ…
To win for thee the victory…And from thee, the victor’s crown
After some time, one wrestler just could not continue to do this anymore. He crawled to the shore where a warm fire awaited. The wrestler was exhausted, numb and almost blue. There he renounced his faith in Jesus Christ as the only living God.
After a few moments, the chant on the ice was heard again:
39 wrestlers…Wrestling for thee O Christ…
To win for thee the victory…And from thee, the victor’s crown
One Roman soldier, who was standing guard on shore, was overwhelmed by the 39 wrestlers conviction and faith. He became convinced that the reward on the ice was far greater than the reward on the shore bank. Unexpectedly, he took his clothes off and made his way out to join the 39 wrestlers. Everyone was shocked. This soldier had become a believer in Jesus Christ. And within moments, the wrestlers were heard chanting:
40 wrestles…Wrestling for thee O Christ…
To win for thee the victory…And from thee, the victor’s crown
How committed are you to Jesus Christ? Are you as committed to Jesus as much as He showed His commitment to you by dying on a cruel cross?
In today’s Scripture focus, Jesus Christ spoke to the Apostle John about the Christians who lived in the beautiful city of Smyrna, Turkey. They were not only very poor but also persecuted. Jesus prophesied that suffering was about to greatly increase. He encouraged them with a familiar thought. Similar to the Olympic games, Smyrna had athletic contests. Winners were awarded the laurel crown of victory. In addition, city magistrates were honored with a crown for faithful service. Jesus encouraged the believers to be faithful when facing suffering. Even to the point of death. As a result, the believers would receive the “crown of life” from Jesus Christ. By being faithful, death may be painful but eternal life was awaiting.
IF YOU WANT TO FINISH STRONG, DON’T COME OFF THE ICE. Do not just be a strong starter! Be a strong finisher! Live for Jesus. That is really what matters. Stand up for Jesus Christ regardless of the cost. Win people to Jesus Christ. That is victory. Win the victor’s crown for Jesus Christ.
SOMETHING TO DO
Read Mark 8:38, Luke 9:23 and Acts 5:41.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ, I am deciding today to surrender my all to you and to be completely devoted to following you as my Savior and Lord. I want to hear You someday say to me “Well done, good and faithful servant!” [Matthew 25:21,23] AMEN