A Visit to the Colosseum

While we were in Rome, we were very privileged to visit the Colosseum. I had looked forward to going to the Colosseum because of the rich, historical heritage that it held. We were not disappointed in what we saw there. For one thing, we were prepared to pay a very significant amount to get into the colosseum because we really wanted to see it. Those of you who know Rick's frugality would be surprised at what he was going to pay to get in! The rule is that everyone pays full adult price unless you are under 18 AND a citizen of the European Union. Obviously we had a whole lot of people under the age of 18 with us, but being a citizen of the E.U was a different story. The kids can mimic some of the accents here fairly well, but when they asked us where we were from, we had to tell the truth. The man at the ticket counter said, "Oh, it's going to cost you a whole lot to come in here." Rick already knew that:( However, apparently God touched his heart because he said, "Let's just charge you for the two adults and you can come in!" Rick didn't argue and we walked in very quickly before they changed their minds!

The colosseum was a very special place because I had read in many books of the many, many Christians who had stood in the center of the Colosseum and cheerfully gave their lives for the Savior that they loved so much. I remember reading of young people who stood in the center of the Colosseum and sang beautiful songs as the lions were released to kill them. Now, we were standing where they had stood, and I must say that I felt very unworthy, but so privileged to see this sacred place. Now, there is a cross erected near where so many of the Christians gave their lives.

This was not the first time on this trip that we had seen places that had been such bastions of wickedness, but now the evil is gone and the symbols of Christ still stand. Isn't it amazing after so much wickedness took place in the Colosseum, and so much blood was shed because of the name of Christ, the central point of the whole colosseum is a cross?

Another example of this was when we visited Corinth in Greece. Corinth was one of the most degraded cities at the time of Paul, and I am sure that in all their vain glory, they thought that their statues and monuments to the gods would stand forever. Now, though, Corinth is about Paul and the ministry that he had. An insignificant man left his mark on that city with preaching a seemingly foolish message. It is encouraging to see that however strong evil seems to be, God and His Word will last forever!

A mighty fortress is our God

A Bulwark never failing

Our helper he amidst the flood

Of mortal ill prevailing

Let goods and kindred go

This mortal life also

The body they may kill

God's Word abideth still

His kingdom is forever!