Thought for the day – Sunday 3 May

Thought for the day - Sunday 3 May
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May 03, 2020
in Minister's Daily Message
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Dear All
If it were at all possible that a Roman soldier of some 2000 years ago could come back and visit us today in 2020 he would probably recognise many familiar things. He would recognise some of the language we still use today, possibly Hadrian’s Wall, and many other ruins and relics scattered around Britannia which in his time would have been in everyday use.
The Roman Baths in Bath, Somerset are still very much used and visited and if he’d been there he’d have probably written about it using his wax tablet and stylus. Many known facts about ordinary Roman life have come from personal information written by soldiers’ tablets. Moses incidentally had a couple of tablets too and we know that God sent him ten text messages which have since gone viral.
Our soldier would, however, be astonished to see people wearing a cross, crucifix around their necks as an item of jewellery, given that they were symbols of torture and death. Would you, or do you wear a silver or gold noose, or maybe a miniature electric chair? I think you get the point.
Soldiers of today wear similar items of protection that the Romans used. Helmets, visors, breastplates, body armour from head to toe and shields. The materials might differ but their shape and function are exactly the same. An artillery piece today needs a crew of around three to four men, similar to what the Romans would need to operate their ballista catapulta, or arcuballista. The crews would be almost the same and have much the same jobs in preparing, loading and firing their fearsome weapons.
Isn’t it the case that we often use military terms in everyday conversation, eg, fighting, battling, gathering the troops, stealing a march, bunker mentality, putting your head above the parapet, keep your powder dry, hold your fire and so on….. Paul was saying something similar, using language that people would recognise and understand. It was the language of battle.
Paul is writing to the young church in Ephesus and uses the analogy of the soldier’s battle dress. He uses it in the context of his world view and we have to take that into account when considering what he says. There are spiritual, physical and mental battles that are ongoing and they are realities we all face.
We sing as much in many of our hymns.
In our own personal battles we, like any combatant, need protection and we have it. We also have ‘The sword of the Spirit’ which is the only offensive weapon mentioned. The sword is a lethal weapon, so in our ‘battles’ we don’t need to be on the run and defensive but are well able to stand and fight. The warfare language is difficult to avoid.
Our salvation is in Jesus Christ, our righteousness is in Jesus Christ, the truth is in Jesus Christ and our shield of faith is in Jesus Christ. The battle is already won and victory is ours in him.
Today I ask you think/meditate on these things.
God bless you!

Jim

JBoag@churchofscotland.org.uk

EPHESIANS 6: 10-18

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

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