Paul & the Prisoners of Rome (CaD 1 Cor 4) – Wayfarer
We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment.
1 Corinthians 4:12-13 (NIV)
In ancient Rome, successful military conquests and campaigns ended with a triumphant homecoming parade. It was spectacle on a grand scale and the crowds loved it. The victorious general would lead his legion through the streets with their banners flying while the masses lined the streets and cheered.
Of course, every parade has to end, and in this case, at the end of the Roman victory parade were the prisoners of war, chained, beaten, and condemned. What a sharp contrast to the glorious, polished and pompous army who had just inspired and energized the adoring crowd. The prisoners provided the Roman masses with the opportunity to gloat in Roman greatness and bask in schadenfreude at their worthless enemies. The prisoners could be mocked, jeered, and pelted with whatever rocks or refuse was available along the street. In many cases, they’d already suffered abuse at the hands of their captors. They’d been ill-treated and marched for hundreds of miles against their will.
Ultimately, these prisoners would be marched to the Roman arena where, to the delight of the Roman crowds, they would face a horrific death. Among the most popular with the Roman masses was watching people getting ravaged and eaten by packs of wild beasts who had been starved in preparation for the occasion. But that wasn’t enough. The Romans would build contraptions that gave prisoners a false hope of being able to climb and escape from the beasts, but they were rigged to fall apart or fail, giving the crowds a little extra entertainment.
In yesterday’s post, I wrote about our human penchant for turning leaders into celebrities. In today’s chapter, Paul turns that entire notion on its head. He compares himself, and his fellow apostles to one of Roman prisoners being drug through the streets at the end of the parade. And, it wasn’t total hyperbole. When you study the persecution, punishment, and injustice that Paul and his fellow apostles endured, it’s both astounding and gut-wrenching.
Which makes his attitude even more amazing to me. “When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly.” Which, is not only what Jesus taught, but what Jesus exemplified as He was bound, beaten, mocked, and unjustly executed in a horrific way.
The struggle, of course, is to even connect with these realities here in my 21st century reality. I live in the most affluent country in the world in arguably the greatest time to be alive in human history. So, what am I supposed to take away from Paul’s reality and example?
First, I’m taking perspective with me into this day. I can list every single trouble, worry, or anxiety I might be feeling and then consider a Roman prisoner-of-war’s reality, Paul’s reality, and Jesus’ reality. Talk about a reality check. What am I complaining about?
Second, even in my own rather comfortable realities, I can think of specific instances of people being unkind towards me, unjustly accusing me of things, and using their power or influence against me. What’s my response?
Anger, vengeance, retribution, playing the victim card?
Or, like Paul, do I bless, endure, and answer kindly?
That, is a reminder I need every day.
If you know anyone who might be encouraged by today’s post, please share.
