The Centurion’s Command
“You must have your clothing removed and walk on to the ice,” the centurion commanded, “by order of the co-regent Licinius. If you will give up this Jesus Christ,” the centurion sneered, “and recant your faith, then you may take your place in the warm baths.” Before a Roman guard could lay a hand on any of the prisoners, the men had stripped themselves and bravely marched out onto the pond, encouraging one another with stirring shouts as soldiers on the battlefield.
Faith Under Fire
Suddenly, one lone man overcome by the cold raced to the warm baths to save his life. Now thirty-nine brave men stood with shoulders squared and chins held high trusting in the Holy Spirit to give them strength. One of the Roman guards, convicted on the spot by the faith of the Christian soldiers, threw off his clothes and joined them on the pond to die for Christ.
They stood firm with trembling limbs, and their minds were constant before God in a struggle witnessed by angels, men and demons. The angels awaited the departure of their souls for the purpose of conducting them to their destiny; men awaited their end and tested the endurance of their human nature to discover if their fear and hope for the future would triumph over pain; the demons were especially curious to see these athletes fall and come to ruin, but their expectations were dashed because God had strengthened them.
Triumph Over Death
One by one, the men succumbed to the cold and crumbled to the ice to die. After their death, the forty martyrs’ bodies were burned, and their ashes were gathered by believers and buried in Christian love.
To Be Continued…
Date: 27th April 2024
Martyr: Not Specified
Location: Not Specified
Source: God’s Generals – The Martyrs
Author: Roberts Liardon
Suffering Saturday 088
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