When in Rome…

I have always been a big fan of the movie Gladiator. I enjoy watching an underdog story. Seeing true grit and fortitude in movies always inspires me to be more like the TV screen heroes in reality.

Upon my arrival in Rome, Italy, my thoughts were flooded with the idea of potentially seeing the legendary colosseum which held some of the world’s greatest gladiators. To my surprise, the Roman colosseum was not only for brave warriors and fighters, but also for Christians. I discovered that simply choosing to put faith in Jesus Christ alone could land you in the Roman Colosseum, being ripped apart by wild lions.

I thought deeper into why Christianity was hated so much among the Romans.

Interestingly enough, I found it odd that the Romans actually believed in many different gods. However, aside from graphic, pathetic looking statues, there wasn’t much substance to their so-called “faith.” What’s even more strange is that, from what we see in the Bible, the people who believed in many gods didn’t seem to have a problem with the Pharisees or Sadducees. What was the midline in their supposed “faiths” that would bring them into a semi-cordial relationship and dialogue?

What I realized is that the gods of the Roman’s and the god of the Pharisees had one incredible thing in common. They were both made up. Sadly, this is the same “god” that you can see being sold for cheap all throughout churches and podiums weekly.

The truth is that religious people had a problem with Jesus because His God wasn’t made up or dead, but was alive and very involved in His life.

“27 At noon Elijah mocked them, saying, Cry aloud, for he is a god; either he is musing, or he has gone aside, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened. 28 And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with knives and lances until the blood gushed out upon them.” - 1 Kings 18:27-28 AMPC

Unfortunately, even before the creation of guns, mankind has been committing the same egregious act of “shooting the messenger.”

”37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, murdering the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a mother fowl gathers her brood under her wings, and you refused! 38 Behold, your house is forsaken and desolate (abandoned and left destitute of God’s help).” - Matthew 15:37-38 AMPC

We have clung to a fictionary depiction of God that allows us to stay the same and doesn’t require total commitment and devotion. We have bought a cheap faith that has the same side effects of those without it.

“13-14 “Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention.” - Matthew 7:13-14 MSG

“When in Rome” is a quote that stands for doing what’s easiest or going with the flow. It has been said that men who stand for nothing fall for anything and we see this to be true. However, this thought processing led to the death of the Son of God.

“24 So when Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but rather that a riot was about to break out, he took water and washed his hands in the presence of the crowd, saying, I am not guilty of nor responsible for this righteous Man’s blood; see to it yourselves. 25 And all the people answered, Let His blood be on us and on our children!” - Matthew 27:23-25 AMPC

The truth is that if you have accepted a faith or a god that doesn’t require you to dedicate every fabric of your being, you too have chosen to believe in a god of the Romans. And not even twelve of their gods could hold together one of the greatest empires known to man.

In Rome, we see the greatest empire of all time crumble and become an afterthought in our lives today. Therefore, we must examine ourselves. What is the foundation for our own lives (empires) that we are building on? Are we living for today, only to be forgotten by this time tomorrow?

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Question of the day: Will you continue to build your personal empire based off the same god as the Romans?

Tired of giving your all to empires, governments and people that leave you broken and drained, looking and feeling like the colosseum you saw today? This is a chance to build on something that will last forever. Even after the death and resurrection of Jesus thousands of years ago, people all over the world choose to follow Him today. If you would like to build on an empire that can never be defeated or will never be torn down based on the sinful nature of humanity’s corruption, this part is for you.

(Prayer)

Dear Heavenly Father, I no longer want to build on my own personal empire but I choose to let go of my own selfish desires and ambitions to focus fully on you. I do not want my life to be turned into a broken spectacle like the colosseum today. I believe that through the death and resurrection of Jesus, I can live forever by accepting Him into my heart. God, thank you for allowing me to become part of Your empire that’s not built on the blood and humiliation of others but simply on Your love.

In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.

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