Thursday, March 29, 2007
SERIOUS CHRISTIANITY
To my mind, one of the most inspiring persons in church history was a man named Ignatius (St. Ignatius of Antioch). He lived during the first century and was put to death because of his outspoken Christian witness. Ignatius was an old man when he was thrown to the lions in the Roman coliseum. Listen to these incredible words of his recorded in a letter he wrote to Christians in Rome shortly before his death. Though somewhat lengthy, the passage resounds with passion and power and is worthy of serious reflection:
"What a thrill I shall have from the wild beasts that are ready for me! I hope they will make short work of me. I shall coax them on to eat me up at once and not to hold off. I shall force them to it. Forgive me—I know what is good for me. Now is the moment I am beginning to be a disciple. May nothing seen or unseen begrudge me making my way to Jesus Christ. Come fire, cross, battling with wild beasts, wrenching of bones, mangling of my limbs, crushing of my whole body, cruel tortures of the devil—only let me get to Jesus Christ! Not the wide bounds of earth nor the kingdoms of this world will avail me anything. “I would rather die” and get to Jesus Christ than reign over the ends of the earth. That is what I am looking for—the One who died for us. That is whom I want—the One who died for us. I am going through the pangs of being born. Sympathize with me, brothers! Do not stand in the way of my coming to life—do not wish death on me. Do not give back to the world one who wants to be God’s; do not trick him with material things. Let me get into the clear light and manhood will be mine. Let me imitate the passion of my God. If anyone has Him in him, let him appreciate what I am longing for, and sympathize with me, realizing what I am going through."
The words of Ignatius sound like utter foolishness to the carnal mind. Indeed, I remember a seminary classmate who read those words and summarily pronounced Ignatius crazy. But far from being foolish speech emanating from a crazed Christian, the words of Ignatius poured forth from a mature Christian heart. Ignatius was a man whose thoughts were fixed on Jesus (Heb. 3:1). To be sure, such is the profound privilege with which believers in all times are graced: we can fix our thoughts on Jesus and even behold Him through eyes of faith. And someday, faith will give way to sight and Christians will behold the One whom Ignatius now sees face to face.
"What a thrill I shall have from the wild beasts that are ready for me! I hope they will make short work of me. I shall coax them on to eat me up at once and not to hold off. I shall force them to it. Forgive me—I know what is good for me. Now is the moment I am beginning to be a disciple. May nothing seen or unseen begrudge me making my way to Jesus Christ. Come fire, cross, battling with wild beasts, wrenching of bones, mangling of my limbs, crushing of my whole body, cruel tortures of the devil—only let me get to Jesus Christ! Not the wide bounds of earth nor the kingdoms of this world will avail me anything. “I would rather die” and get to Jesus Christ than reign over the ends of the earth. That is what I am looking for—the One who died for us. That is whom I want—the One who died for us. I am going through the pangs of being born. Sympathize with me, brothers! Do not stand in the way of my coming to life—do not wish death on me. Do not give back to the world one who wants to be God’s; do not trick him with material things. Let me get into the clear light and manhood will be mine. Let me imitate the passion of my God. If anyone has Him in him, let him appreciate what I am longing for, and sympathize with me, realizing what I am going through."
The words of Ignatius sound like utter foolishness to the carnal mind. Indeed, I remember a seminary classmate who read those words and summarily pronounced Ignatius crazy. But far from being foolish speech emanating from a crazed Christian, the words of Ignatius poured forth from a mature Christian heart. Ignatius was a man whose thoughts were fixed on Jesus (Heb. 3:1). To be sure, such is the profound privilege with which believers in all times are graced: we can fix our thoughts on Jesus and even behold Him through eyes of faith. And someday, faith will give way to sight and Christians will behold the One whom Ignatius now sees face to face.
