PAUL IN ROME

Back in September, I had the blessing of taking a pilgrimage to Italy—it was an unexpected trip that presented itself in my Facebook feed! We just never know what God will use to get our attention.

I want to preface the next few reflections saying that my goal in writing is for all Christians. No matter what particular denomination we belong to, we are united in our love and need for Jesus to be our Lord and Savior. Jesus should be at the center of our lives, faith, and worship. As I share about my pilgrimage I see lessons or themes that can apply to our lives no matter which Christian denomination we follow.

I always thought it would be wonderful to go to Italy and Rome but never dreamt I would have the opportunity. When I first saw it, I didn’t think I would go, but then I thought how sacred it would be to be in the Papal audience and to walk through a Jubilee Holy Door on my birthday; a present to myself as I continue to view my life as an offering to the Lord. It was the ‘icing on my cake’ this year!

 

So awesome to see the Colosseum in Rome!

 

Last October I walked in the Footsteps of St Paul, visiting many of the places from his second missionary journey in Greece and Turkey. This Italy pilgrimage started with seeing some sites of St Paul when he was in Rome,  which was his fourth journey. It brought my St Paul pilgrimage full circle.  As with the other pilgrimages, it is sometimes hard to soak in the ‘sacredness’ of what we are seeing at the time. It is more in retrospect that I am able to piece stories and places together giving thanks for the opportunity of being able to understand things better.

 

For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.  So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.   –Romans 1:11-15  (ESV)

We see Paul’s heart for the people of Rome whom he wants to share the Good News of Jesus with. He wrote the letter to the Romans while finishing his third missionary journey. He was hoping to encourage the Romans as he made his way there on a proposed missionary journey to Spain. Notice how Paul reminds them how sharing a faith journey is a two way street of blessings for both people involved. Paul models for us how to patiently wait for God’s timing in our lives even while having that fire in our bones to share Jesus with the whole world.

 

Paul did get to Rome though not in the way he expected. He was arrested in Jerusalem on charges brought about by Jewish leaders who considered him a troublemaker who taught against their customs. He was sent to Caesarea and held for two years under house arrest. He appealed to Caesar because he was born a Roman citizen. The officials decided that Paul would set sail to Italy to be tried there. The voyage included a storm, being shipwrecked, and on the island of Malta for three months. Rome was the final destination because of another storm.  There he was forced to live under house arrest being guarded by Romans soldiers for another two years and bound by chains.

 

When they [Jewish leaders] had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen. He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.  –Acts 28:21-24; 28-31  (ESV)

How amazing is it that Paul was able to preach the Gospel while on house arrest for two years in Rome? People were able to visit him despite him not being able to leave the house. He did not let his circumstances stop him from preaching about Jesus. He also continued writing letters to the different cities to make sure they were continuing the work he started.

 

Paul was set free after the two years in Rome because his accusers did not follow through on the charges. He continued to preach and evangelize throughout the Roman Empire and there is evidence of him making it to Spain. Once back in Rome, he was re-arrested and held captive by Emperor Nero who was persecuting Christians. This time Paul spent about six months in a harsh jail cell at The Mamertinum Prison where he penned the book of 2 Timothy. Because Paul was a Roman citizen, he was executed by beheading, a less brutal method than crucifixion reserved for non-citizens.

 

The last prison Paul was held in and wrote 2 Timothy. (Photo credit: Margaret Castellini)

 

Inside the Mamertinum Prison where Paul was held. (Photo credit: Margaret Castellini)

 

Arrow is pointing to the place Paul struck the ground and water miraculously appeared so Paul was able to baptize the jailers! (Photo credit: Margaret Castellini)

 

As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. –2 Timothy 4:6-8  (NLT)

How beautiful are those verses? Paul knew God was calling him home soon. Because of God’s goodness and mercy Paul went from murdering Christians to being the first one to share the Good News with the Gentiles, the non-Jewish people. He knew he faithfully served God daily since his conversion. May we, like Paul, offer our lives to God as we live faithfully and righteously.

 

It is hard to imagine the persecution that many Christians have endured as they have stood strong in their faith—even to the point of martyrdom like Paul. He was transferred to this holding place shortly before he was decapitated. Paul prayed his last prayer for the Romans as he could look at the road. Legend says his head bounced three times and three fountains miraculously sprang up at each spot—one hot, warm, and cold.

 

Inside the Abbzaia delle Tre Frontane (Abbey of the Three Fountains).

 

Where Paul was held right before being martyred.

 

The spot (white column in back) where Paul is believed to have been beheaded.

 

A monument remembering Paul’s beheading.

 

Be encouraged this week to…

… share the special spiritual gifts God has graced you with.

… share more boldly about the Kingdom of God and Jesus.

… live faithfully and righteously keeping your eyes on the prize of eternal life.

… know that Jesus is with you even when you face persecution for His sake.

 

REFLECTION:

What are two spiritual gifts God has given you?
How have you faced persecution for your belief in Jesus?

Remember what I [Jesus] told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.  –John 15:20-21  (NIV)