Gridiron
Where are your treasures?
O ruler of the universe, Lord God, great deeds are they that you have done, surpassing human understanding. Your ways are ways of righteousness and truth, - Revelation 15:3
On the 10th of August in the year 258, a deacon named Laurence was roasted alive at the order of a Roman Prefect.
During the torture, he is known to have said to the executioners, "You can turn me over; I am done on this side."
Back in those days, the church held great wealth, and it was the job of the deacons to administer the church budgets, making sure to help the poor and destitute. So, the prefect beheaded the bishop and most of the clergy and then went to Laurence demanding he give over the treasures of the church. If he did this he would be freed.
Laurence said he needed three days to accumulate the treasures.
During those days, he distributed the money to stewards. On the third day, he gathered up the widows, orphans and poor and brought them to the prefect saying, "These are the treasures of the church."
That's how he wound up on the gridiron, roasting before the multitude.
I don't think I would be as calm if I were in his place. Many people were converted that day, witnessing his martyrdom, just the opposite of what the prefect wanted.
Here we are seventeen centuries later and we once again have people torturing Christians and seeking to destroy the church and its wealth.
But we can learn something from Laurence about the true wealth of the church of God, His people.
Isn't it time we love one another and give to those in need?
Do it for Laurence's sake...
More to come.
Image credit: Notegraphy