40 wrestlers

In the days of Nero, the Emperor of Rome, there was a ban of Elite Soldiers known as the "The Emperor's Wrestlers." These men were the best athletes in the Roman Amphitheater, and the bravest soldiers in all of the Roman army. The wrestled for the Emperor against all who challenged them. Before each contest they would stand before the Emperor's throne and cry out "We the wrestlers, wrestling for thee, O Emperor, to win for thee the victory and from thee the victor's crown."

One year, in mid-winter, there was a rebellion waged in Gaul (France), the Emperor sent for his wrestlers and told them to go to Gaul to end the war that was raging on. This brave group of wrestlers left Rome under the command of Vespasian the Centurion.

While in Gaul rumors spread to Rome that many of the Emperor's Wrestlers had become Christians. When news of this reached Nero, the Emperor, he sent a message to Vespasian, and made this decree; "If there be any among your soldiers who cling to the faith of the Christian, they must die!"

It was in the dead of winter that Vespasian received the message while his soldiers were camped beside a frozen lake in Gaul. Vespasian assembled his troops and asked, "Are there any among you who cling to the faith of the Christians? If so, let him step forward."

Forty soldiers instantly stepped forward two paces, saluted and stood at attention. Vespasian was stunned! He had not expected so many soldiers and such select ones. They were his finest and his best. Vespasian said, "Until sundown I shall give you time to recant and to deny your faith."

At sundown the soldiers were again assembled together and Vespasian asked: "Who still clings to the Christian faith, even if it means death?"

Again 40 soldiers stepped forward and stood at attention. Vespasian pleaded with them long and earnestly to deny their faith, but not one soldier would deny Christ.

Vespasian did not want these men he loved, respected, who fought side to side together, die at the hands of their fellow wrestlers, so he had them strip naked. Vespasian reluctantly said, "The decree of the Emperor must be obeyed, so you shall stand out on the frozen lake, exposed to the elements until you freeze to death. Should you recant and deny Christ, the fire will remain burning on shore, and by returning to the shelter of the fire, you will be denouncing Christ and you shall live."

The forty soldiers stripped out of their clothing, fell into four columns of ten each, and marched towards the center of the frozen lake, and to their death. But they cried out what they once chanted in the arena as they marched; "Forty wrestlers, wrestling for thee O Christ, to win for thee the victory and from thee the victor's crown."

All night long Vespasian stood by his campfire and watched those forty brave wrestlers out on the ice as they slowly succumbed to the elements. As they grew weaker and weaker, their cry grew fainter and fainter; "Forty wrestlers, wrestling for thee O Christ, to win of thee the victory and from thee the victor's crown."

As morning drew near, one figure overcome by exposure left the frozen lake, and came to the edge of the fire and renounced his Lord. Vespasian could hear faintly from the frozen lake; "Thirty-nine wrestlers, wrestling for thee O Christ, to win for thee the victory and from thee the victor's crown."

Vespasian was moved, and God touched his heart. Vespasian ripped off his cloak, helmet and armor and ran down upon the frozen lake and huddled with his men, and again they chanted; "Forty wrestlers, wrestling for thee O Christ, to win for thee the victory and from thee the victor's crown."

Theses were young, strong, powerful, vibrant men. They did not choose to please themselves or even others. The were committed to please the Lord! Are you?

"...your hearts must be fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands..." (1 Kings 8:61)

"So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good." (1 Peter 4:19)

Copyright (c) 2000, 2001, TTNL Reprinted with permission

Wilberforce

Although the apathy of some Christians and the wickedness of society are discouraging, we should pray and remain confident. William Wilberforce was a great Christian philanthropist and vigorous opponent of the slave trade in England during the early 1800s. As he surveyed the terrible moral and spiritual climate of his day, he did not lose hope. He wrote, “My own solid hopes for the well-being of my country depend, not so much on her navies or armies, nor on the wisdom of her rulers, nor on the spirit of her people, as on the persuasion that she still contains many who love and obey the gospel of Christ. I believe that their prayers may yet prevail.” Within a few years after he made this statement, the country he loved experienced one of the greatest revivals in modern times, bringing salvation to thousands and producing widespread social changes.

Answered Prayer

In 1934, Mordecai Ham preached in Charlotte, NC, and a great awakening took place. A farmer was deeply concerned about the meetings, so he invited a group of his Christian friends to come spend a day in prayer at his farm. As they prayed, they felt compelled to ask God to raise up a man from their city to carry the gospel to the ends of the earth. Although they didn't see an immediate answer to their prayer, the great awakening had begun. The farmer's teenage son was converted during the crusade, and that boy--whose name is Billy Graham!--has indeed carried the gospel to the ends of the earth.