In the many miles of underground galleries beneath certain parts of the city and suburbs of ancient Rome, there are countless testimonies by word and symbol to the faith of those who had heard the gospel of the cross through Paul and his followers. Many of the inscriptions carved into the soft tufa stone breathe the calm faith that Paul sought to instill into the hearts of the Thessalonians when he wrote to the brethren “concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow now, even as others which have no hope.” Our word “cemetery” comes from a Latin word meaning “sleeping place,” which was used first by these early Christians of the Catacombs.
How these dear souls laid hold of the truth that death to the Christian is only falling asleep, is borne out by such inscriptions as:
“Zoticus, laid here to sleep";
“Valeria sleeps in peace";
“Tasaris, in Christ the First and the Last";
“Terentianus lives";
“Spare your tears,... for one who lives in God.”
Another record runs as follows: “Here lies Gordianus, Deputy of Gaul, who was executed for the faith, with all his family. They rest in peace. Theophila, a handmaid, set this up.”
This Roman legate is stated to have been converted to Christ through the preaching of Januarius, who suffered in the time of Julian. At that time he and his wife, Marina, with his household to the number of 53 persons, were baized. For his confession of Christ, Gordianus was martyred, and his body exposed before the temple of Minerva, from where it was rescued by one of the household and buried in the Catacombs in the Latin Way.
Beneath the brief yet touching recital of her master’s death, this faithful and affectionate maid, (whose name means “a lover of God” and corresponds to that of the Christian to whom Luke addressed his two writings), scratched a palm branch, as if looking on to the life which lies beyond death, to a glory imperishable that would eclipse the shame of an ignominious death, when His words will be accomplished who said, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Revelation 2:1010Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. (Revelation 2:10).
Another inscription reads: “In the time of the Emperor Adrian, Marius, a young military officer, who had lived long enough when with blood he gave up his life for Christ. At length he rested in peace.”
These early Christians were surely worthy followers of those “of whom the world was not worthy," who "wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.” Hebrews 11:3838(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. (Hebrews 11:38).
Dear reader, how is it with you? Do you know the peace that can meet death calmly and without a trace of fear? Do you know the One who says, “I am the First and the Last; I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore.” Revelation 1:17,1817And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: 18I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. (Revelation 1:17‑18). He tasted death that He might bring life to us, life beyond death and the grave.
ML-05/20/1979