FORTY FAMOUS WRESTLERS

The story of a Roman legion encamped in the dead of winter on the shores of an Armenian lake.



 

The sun had gone down and night was falling when the soldiers were drawn up in line to hear the imperial edict ordering all men in every place on pain of death to pour a libation before the image of the Emperor in token that they acknowledged the ancient gods of Rome.

It was a strange scene, the flaring torches, the ranks of men with set, stern faces, the officers standing near the rude altar, the ensigns of Rome fluttering in the bitter wind, and beyond these the dark and terrible lake on which, if any refused to obey, he would be sent naked to meet his death in the long winter night.

One by one the soldiers filed past the image of the Caesar and poured out the libation.  But now, a soldier, young, stalward, straight, stepped out of the line and with high uplifted face said, "I owe no allegiance before that to my Master, Christ," and stood aside.  The line filed past and another and another stepped out until there stood together forty soldiers, so strong, so daring in every deed of courage or feat or arms that they were called by their comrades the "Forty Famous Wrestlers".

The Roman general stood aghast, "What is this?" he cried.  "Do you understand what awaits you there?"  He pointed to the lake.  "A dreadful death to wander there the long night through because you will not pour a few drops of wine before the image of the Caesar.  You need not believe in the gods of Rome.  I do not believe in them myself, but surely your Christ does not require this of you, and do you think I am going to lose my forty best soldiers for such a whim?  Tomorrow at evening the ranks will form again.  If you obey, well; if not - the frozen lake.  Throw not your lives away."

They were young, the forty wrestlers, and life was sweet.  Each heart held the thought of home, a little home mid clustering vines and olive trees where father, mother, wife and children waited for them.  Life was sweet and death upon the lake was cruel and the pouring of the libation a little thing.  Would the Christ care?

The short winter day was drawing to a close as the legion formed in line.  Again the torches flared and the eagles of Rome looked down upon the solemn scene.  No word was spoken as the soldiers filed silently past, pouring the libation.  But when the first wrestler's turn came he stepped quietly out and the light upon his face was not that of the fitful torches, but the light of the other world.  Taking off his helmet he laid it at the feet of the general with his sword and his spear and shield.  On them he laid his cloak, his tunic, and his warm, close fitting undergarment, then turned to the lake singing in a clear, sweet voice as he went to his death: "Forty wrestlers wrestling for Thee, O Christ, Claim for Thee the victory and from Thee the crown."

The second followed and his comrades, dumb with wonder, watched him lay down the arms he had so gallantly borne, lay down his garments and his life, and go on the dark and gloomy lake of death singing, too: "Forty wrestlers wrestling for Thee, O Christ, Claim for Thee the victory and from Thee the crown."

Another and another followed till all the forty soldiers were out upon the lake and forty voices had taken up the triumph song.  Slowly the night wore on and the guard in the house on the bank where warmth, clothing, food, and drink were waiting for any who might turn back, heard the song grow fainter and more faint as one by one the voices failed.  At last, just at dawn, one wrestler came creeping back, but even as he lifted his hand to deny his Lord he fell lifeless.  Then the guard, who could not bear that the band should be broken, took off his helmet, and laying down his shield and spear and garments, went out to join them, singing exultingly "Forty wrestlers wrestling for Thee, O Christ, Claim for Thee the victory and from Thee the crown."



(Taken from the May/June 1992 edition of "The Reformer", the official organ of the Protestant Alliance. Used with permission.)

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