Not quite fifty years before Jesus would walk on this earth as a man to about fifty years after his birth, we find one of the most interesting centuries in the history of the world.
In 44 BC, a Roman leader named Julius Caesar would be assassinated by men who he thought were friends, or at least allies. Julius Caesar represented stability in the emerging Roman Republic. His death brought turmoil and unrest. No one man seemed to be able to replace him.
Following the assassination of Julius Caesar, two of the principle conspirators, Marcus Junius Brutus and Gaius Cassius Longinus fled Rome and took control of the eastern provinces. They levied taxes and placed duties upon trade and raised an army of about 100,000 men
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Three remained in Rome to rule the remaining part of the young republic. They were a triumvirate of Octavian, Mark Antony, and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus. They raised their own army of about 100,000 men to defeat the conspirators and avenge Caesar's death. Octavian and Antony left Lepidus in Rome marched east into Macedonia to destroy their enemy.
Brutus and Cassius desired to remain the in a defensive mode near Philippi and to make their opponent come to them. Brutus anchored his defenses in the mountains and Cassius set up astride the Via Egnatia—the main eastwest thoroughfare, which was protected by a marsh on one side.
The battles that took place here took place on two days. October 3rd was the first battle and October 23rd was the second and decisive battle.
While the battles themselves are cause for study and sometimes wonder as the armies of Octavian built a causeway into the marsh to flank the army of Cassius, and as Brutus would gain the element of surprise against Antony and nearly route his forces.
Eventually Octavian and Antony would prevail. Eventually, there would be only Octavian. In January, 27 BC, Octavian became the first Roman Emporer and took the name Augustus Caesar. It would be this Caesar that would cause all the world to be taxed, and Mary and Joseph to travel to the City of David to be registered.
For the adult ministry of Christ, Tiberius Caesar ruled the Roman Empire.
From the time of the death and resurrection of Christ to the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, Caesars by the name of Caligula—or ‘Little Boots’, Claudius, and Nero ruled. It was Nero who would blame the great fire in Rome on the Christians and outlaw anyone professing this faith. They were followed by four Caesars in one year: Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespian.
Titus and Domitian were Caesars to the end of the first century.
While the names changed with some regularity, the character of the empire was constant. It was built on conquest. While Paul was just beginning to reach the Gentiles with the good news; Romans were invading England. This was an era where no one stood in the way of the Roman Empire.
Romans were the epitome of conquerors.
But even these masters of conquest, knew the temporal nature of their status. In one of his historical commentaries, General George C. Patton, once remarked.
"For over a thousand years Roman conquerors returning from the wars enjoyed the honor of triumph, a tumultuous parade. In the procession came trumpeters, musicians and strange animals from conquered territories, together with carts laden with treasure and captured armaments. The conquerors rode in a triumphal chariot, the dazed prisoners walking in chains before him. Sometimes his children robed in white stood with him in the chariot or rode the trace horses. A slave stood behind the conqueror holding a golden crown and whispering in his ear a warning: that all glory is fleeting."
Former Secretary of State James Baker once said, "Someone asked me what was the most important thing I had learned since being in Washington. I replied that it was the fact that temporal power is fleeting." Baker went on to observe that once driving through the White House gates he saw a man walking alone on Pennsylvania Avenue and recognized him as having been Secretary of State in a previous administration. "There he was alone - no reporters, no security, no adoring public, no trappings of power. Just one solitary man alone with his thoughts. And that mental picture continually serves to remind me of the impermanence of power and the impermanence of place."
The Romans were the epitome of conquerors; yet, they too knew the impermanence of power and place.
Paul is writing to a church in Rome. This is a church that he did not plant and has not yet seen. He is writing to a church in the heart of this culture built on conquest. He is writing to a church that has surely witnessed these parades of conquerors.
And he tells them that they are more than conquerors.
That because of God’s love—a love that we know through Christ—everything in our lives works for good.
The Romans would not run out of enemies. Yes, there would be a time called the Pax Romana, or the Peace of Rome. It would begin with the first emporer—Agustus and last two centuries--but there was always someone looking to knock off number one.
Paul would rhetorically challenge his Roman companions, saying if God is for us who can be against us! There may not be peace in the world, but there was no one who could truly harm God’s people.
Bodies could be broken. Lives could be taken. Homes and possessions could be destroyed, but nothing could separate those who followed Christ from his love.
The Romans knew what it was to be a conqueror. We understand conquest and conquerors. We need to understand that we are more than conquerors.
Earthly victory is temporary and its glory is fleeting.
Victory in Jesus is permanent and its glory is eternal.
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