Mission Impossible

Telemachus- a man with an Impossible Mission

The Roman Empire came into Christianity in the 4^th century when Emperor Constantine embraced the faith. But it was Theodosius, the 67^th emperor that began the destroying of pagan culture in Rome. Many of the ancient temples had been destroyed by the 5^thcentury. However, the bloody entertainment of the amphitheater where gladiators fought bloody and cruel fights was still very much alive and extremely popular. Though edicts after edicts have been issued against these “games” but it was to no avail.

Telemachus was a monk who lived in Asia (modern day Turkey) during the 5^th century. One matter that burdened him tremendously was the happenings in the Roman arena and the associated cruelty. Unable to contain this burden, he set out on foot towards Rome wanting to do something about the Games. Alone with only the conviction that God wanted him to go, he walked for more than a thousand miles though cold and heat. He had absolutely no plans of what he was to do and how he would accomplish this mission. His prayer was “Lord I know not what your plan for me, but I ask only one thing – that I am not unworthy of this mission”.

He arrived in Rome on the first day of the year 404 and made his way towards the arena by following the crowd. Finding a seat he sat like all the other spectators. Soon the day’s “entertainment” began. As two young men began fighting each other, Telemachus arose and cried out loudly “No. Lord bring this horror to an end”. He began to push his way through the cheering crowd and was soon in the arena. The crowds roared with laughter as they saw this unkempt shabbily dressed foreigner running towards the two gladiators. He stood between the fighters and began to address them as the crowd fell silent. “For the sake of Christ, I beg you to show true bravery. Do not fight like beasts to amuse these savages. If you must, offer your neck to your foe, but do not bring this guilt upon yourself! Put your trust in the eternal life which Christ offers and do not fear what man can do to you”.

The two gladiators were speechless and confused. The silence of the crowds soon turned to shouts of rage seeing their entertainment was being disrupted by some old fool. They began to shout out “Kill him”. Telemachus turned and shouted back “only Jesus can set you free”. The enraged spectators rushed forth towards Telemachus and began to beat him up.

History records two deaths that day. While Telemachus died in the hands of the Roman mob, the games ceased completely after that day.

As Paul wrote in Titus, “I Paul a bond servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ”, Paul knew exactly that his calling by God as an apostle was only as effective as the degree he was a bond servant of God. There will be times when he will have to move in “faith” guided only by a conviction or burden that he was headed in the right direction. His only security was that his life was in the hands of a merciful God who is able to do exceedingly abundantly far above all he could think of or expect.

Likewise, as we journey, we may plan plans. But what is the certainty that our plans would succeed? We are encouraged to do well in our exams. And we should. But to assume that success in one arena of life equates to success for the rest of our life is really walking on thin ice. Jesus made it quiet clear when he said “seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you” that God controls our future – if we let Him. And Jesus was also very clear when he tells us about the parable of the talents that we are supposed to do our part in living life too!

So what is our mission for life? I personally believe that in God’s view, there is no difference if one chooses to be an exceedingly successful business person or a highly place executive of a global industry or being a pastor or a missionary or being in a NGO or being involved in politics or be a social worker or just another plain Joe or Jane.

God is most interested if we are a bond servant first and last. This is because His intention is to use us in whatever sphere of influence our talents take us. Just as God created the world through Christ, God intends to reach the world through us, if we let Him!