Back in the 2nd or 3rd century when Christians were tortured or thrown to the lions for their faith, a number of Christ’s faithful followers were sentenced to be tortured in the arena, a public place in Rome, by order of the heathen emperor.
Among the emperor’s soldiers who stood watching the suffering Christians was a young officer named Adriannus. With deep wonder and emotion he gazed at those Christian martyrs. Then all at once he went to one of them and asked, “Tell me, who gives you this courage and strength and joy in the midst of all your suffering?”
The faithful martyr replied, “The dear Lord Jesus in whom we believe.”
“And what will be the end of all your suffering?” the young officer asked.
The answer came: “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit.” (1 Cor. 2:9,109But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. (1 Corinthians 2:9‑10).)
That was enough for Adriannus. Immediately he went to one of the Roman judges and said, “Take down my name! I am a Christian!”
When the emperor heard what had happened, he ordered that Adriannus be thrown into prison. There the young officer was taught more about the Saviour by his fellow-prisoners. His love for his Saviour grew stronger. The time came when he, too, was martyred for Christ, and all the great torture he suffered could not shake his faith. He died a noble martyr’s death and entered into the joy of his Lord.
ML-11/05/1978