"Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." - Revelation 2:10
Around Christmas in ancient Rome, thousands had gathered at
the stadium to watch the gladiatorial contests. The bloodlust was strong as the
crowd cheered, not caring as much who won as to see a good fight and abundant
carnage. One man though was appalled. The name Telemachus probably doesn’t mean
much to you; it didn’t mean anything to the crowd. Yet this man, formed in the
desert monastery, had courage forged through the fires of self-denial, daily
prayer, and immersion in Scripture. His virtue was not delicate, but his
conscience thankfully was.
Visiting Rome on pilgrimage, he was sickened by the
murderous games. Seeing the contest he entered the arena and came between the
two fighters, calling upon them to put their swords away. “Do not requite God’s
mercy in turning away the swords of your enemies by murdering each other,” he
said. The crowd turned against the monk, yelling for the battle to continue. He
wouldn’t budge, holding the two apart with his hands. The curses of the crowd
grew, and the gladiators turned against him, killing him before one and all.
The crowed pelted him with rocks, scoffing at the one who would disrupt their
entertainment.
But after witnessing the death of this God-fearing monk,
Rome would never be the same. The testimony of one who would give his life to
stop these games had immediate results. Within a few months of Telemachus’
death the gladiatorial games in the Colosseum ceased. This desert monk of
tender conscience and strong courage was used by God to accomplish much.
