This is a story I wrote, based on an actual account in history, which occurred in the days of the “Pre-Christianized” Roman Empire. I have often been provoked by them, and have enjoyed sharing their story with others. May we consider their testimony…
Kevan Myers
Psalm 119:115
There is still time to win a battle before the sun goes down.
The Roman army was the pride of Rome. They were known for speed and strength. There were legions of them! The generals were known for their brilliance in military strategy and leadership. The men were strong and disciplined. They were loyal to the emperor and to Rome. They were the most powerful and feared army in the world. They were virtually unbeatable.
Now, in one of the renowned legions, there were thirty soldiers who were especially strong, and courageous. They were instant in obedience, powerful in warfare, and steady in service. These thirty men were also what the Romans called Christians. They were believers and followers of the Jewish Messiah, who was crucified, buried and came back to life. They believed he was the Son of God, and that He had died for their sins. And they followed his teachings.
Now, instead of this causing them to be unfaithful to Rome, it had the opposite effect. They were Romans. And Jesus commanded, “…Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21). They were even more loyal to the Caesar, and showed integrity in their personal lives.
And their General whom they served under loved these thirty men. They were loyal to him, and feared not to take the most dangerous assignments. They were respectful at all times. They were the best men in his legion. They served with all their heart. And they won many battles for the Caesar.
But then came the decree that all soldiers in the Roman host worship the idol of the Caesar. When the general received it, he knew that his thirty best soldiers were in danger. He called all his men together. And read the decree: “All soldiers of Rome shall offer sacrifice to the image of the emperor to prove their loyalty to him. Any who refuse to follow the above shall be killed.”
The men in the army instantly began to take turns offering sacrifice to the image. All, that is, except the thirty Christians. The general pled with them to obey and they respectfully refused to do it. He tried to reason with them, saying that they didn’t need to turn from their faith inwardly, but just outwardly bow to the image. This argument didn’t persuade them. The general, wanting to save their lives, commanded them to follow orders. They again stood and said we cannot. It was the very first time they had ever disobeyed him.
He flew into a rage. Now it was wintertime. The snow covered the hard ground. The army was encamped beside a lake, which was now frozen. The general said, All right! You know the penalty of disobeying the decree. Death! You will remove your armor, you will remove your shoes, and you will march out onto the ice, and you will stand at attention, there until you freeze to death.
Without hesitating, the soldiers began to disarm. Shields were put aside. Cloaks were cast off broad shoulders. Shining helmets were lifted off the head. Breastplates were removed, and belts and swords laid aside. They unbuckled their shoes, and taking them off, stood in only their tunics. The cold wind blew on them, and yet, none wavered. At the command, the thirty men marched out onto the frozen lake, barefoot, and with out protection from the elements. None tried to flee; none made an effort to escape.
As the general watched, they marched to the middle of the lake, and stood at attention, on the ice. And as he listened, they began to sing. And these were their words:
Thirty soldiers of Christ are we,
This we do not deny
Jesus gave His life for us,
And now for Him we DIE!
Their strong voices echoed over the frigid lake, and the General heard every word. The song was sung over and over again.
Thirty soldiers of Christ are we,
This we do not deny
Jesus gave His life for us,
And now for Him we DIE!
For hours they stood out there at attention. The sun set, and the army slept in their tents. But the general didn’t go to bed. He stood by a fire onshore and listened to the song.
Thirty soldiers of Christ are we,
This we do not deny
Jesus gave His life for us,
And now for Him we DIE!
It grew dark, and it got colder. The general clasped his cloak about him, as he still stood, leaning upon his spear, staring into the Flames. The singing was still to be heard, but it was growing fainter, as the warriors on the ice were weakened by the weather. But they stood tall, at attention, even then. And the winter breeze carried their words.
Thirty soldiers of Christ are we,
This we do not deny
Jesus gave His life for us,
And now for Him we DIE!
But suddenly the song stopped. The general, startled, turned toward the lake and squinted his eyes. What was the matter? Then he saw it.
One man was coming back. He was crawled on his hands and knees across the ice, his feet frozen. His comrades on the ice watched him go. The song was not sung. Everything was quiet. He finally reached the shore, and made his way to the image of the emperor. There he bowed down and offered to it, and went into his tent.
The general saw all this. Then he turned back to the line of men on the ice. They stood at attention still, but no song came from their lips. There weren’t thirty of them anymore.
The general thought of how these same men had fought valiantly in battle; how they were the best men in the legion; how they had often witnessed to him of the gospel of Jesus Christ; how they had never disregarded his orders until now.
Suddenly, he threw down his spear. He removed his cloak and his armor. He took off his shoes, and marched out on the ice. When he reached the line of soldiers, he stood at attention, and began singing.
Thirty soldiers of Christ are we,
The soldier beside him joined in.
This we do not deny
Another and another-
Jesus gave His life for us,
‘Til every soldier in the line sang together the last line.
And now for Him we DIE!
And they did die. In the morning, they were found frozen on the ice.
These men were loyal to their authorities: their general, their country, and to their God.
WHO FOLLOWS IN THEIR TRAIN?
