Holy Boldness

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. (Philippians 1:12-13 ESV)

The Praetorian Guard. Caesar's finest. These were the elite forces of Rome. While the Legions were out conquering the world, the Praetorian Guard was home in Rome at Caesar's beck and call. They were his special forces and wielded great political power within the city itself. The Praetorian Guard worked for Caesar, and sometimes even against him. They were formidable--a force to be reckoned with. By some estimates there were as many as ten thousand of these soldiers in Rome at any given time. It is very likely that Paul was chained to one of these soldiers twenty-four hours a day during his imprisonment.

With that in mind let us take a minute to note what Paul says above:  ". . . so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ."

How? How had it become known? How was it that Paul had become the talk of the Praetorian Guard? Who told them that his "imprisonment was for Christ"?

You know the answer to that, now, don't you? Paul told them.

Can you imagine it? Here comes Cassius to work one day. His assignment is to be chained to Paul for twelve hours. He sees his friend Felix who says, "Friend Cassius, you look down. What is on your mind?" 

"Oh, you would not believe it if I told you. It's this Jewish fellow, Paul. I am to be chained to him today and I dread it like summer leaves dread the coming of winter." 

"How so, friend?" says Felix. "Surely it cannot be that bad? Is he that much of a villain?" 

"Oh, worse!" says Cassius. "He is one of those religious fanatics. Always talking about this Jesus whom he claims to be alive even though he also assures me that we Romans put him to death. Crucified him! Can you imagine that? A crucified god! Who would invent such a ridiculous idea and then promote it for worship? Only in the provinces could such foolishness pass itself off as reasonable. The man is mad, I tell you. He claims that this Jesus is still alive, even though he was dead! Have you ever heard such nonsense? I tell you it wearies me to my bones. The man never shuts up about him."

"Indeed I have heard such nonsense. You forget, friend Cassius, that I, too, was chained to him just last week. But you should know this. Though you may deem his message foolishness, there are many who do not. And this Paul is not the only one who claims to have seen this Jewish Messiah alive after he was crucified. Of this I speak the truth. His followers are growing."

"The mob! Psshhtt! The mob will believe anything! They have no sense. You know that! But where are the legitimate followers? Where are the elite members of our guard who have believed? Do you know of any?"

"Certainly. There are some. And everyone, it seems, is talking about it. Just ask anyone who has spent a day or a night with this Paul to tell you why he is imprisoned. Do you know, Cassius, what are the charges against him?"

"Well, why, umm, no, not exactly."

"Just ask him. He'll tell you. His imprisonment is for Christ."

Here we end our little imaginative exercise. We are impressed with the boldness of our little jewish friend, Paul. Would that God would give us a holy boldness to speak up and speak out for Christ that everyone might know for what purpose we are in this world, that we are here for Christ. Whom have you told?