"If you do not have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one." Luke 22:36, Jesus

“What we do in life--echoes in eternity” …a great quote of the warrior Maximus from the movie Gladiator, a name that few men would not recognize. However, I have yet to meet a man who knows the real definition of gladiator. The usual answer approximates this, “a man who fought in the Roman arena”, and that is true. To end this suspense, “gladiator” comes from the word gladius that means ‘sword’. Ergo, gladiator simply means a swordsman.

The Roman sword, a powerful weapon with a 22” blade, was the premier infantry weapon of the day. In fact, it was the Roman sword and the tactics developed around its use, that enforced the Pax Romana throughout the vast Roman Empire. It is not surprising then that it was the gladius that Paul chose as the imagery to refer to God’s Word to as the sword of the Spirit in Ephesians 6:17.

Knowing this, I often challenge men to think in terms of becoming a gladiator for God. But to do so we must become skillful and lethal with our Sword in the arena of life, much as the venerated gladiator was in the arena of Rome. The use of any weapon, including The Word, is an acquired skill…and likewise a perishable skill. The warrior and weapon must become “one” so that the weapon becomes an extension of the warrior…just like in the life of a gladiator.

In our hearts we men, like Maximus, long for a quest. We long for an identity with something valorous in response to a higher calling that will echo beyond our years. Our Father has imprinted this into our DNA. Therefore, we yearn for the glory of a decisive, hard fought victory over the evil prince. And why not? After all, it is only such a brave, noble deed and act of courage that can rescue the captive maiden and win her heart. Is this not the story line of virtually every movie we men rush to see? An adventure to live, a danger to encounter, a battle to fight, an evil force to defeat…but why? Of course, to rescue the beauty! It could be a maiden…but why not our wife, our family, our Faith, our friends, our nation, etc.

That’s what we men were made for! So much more than going to work, paying the bills, and attending church, our real dream is to live a heroic, even sacrificial life for others. We have a need to do deeds that will “echo in eternity.” Why is this? As men, we really do want to believe in our heart that we were born to be warriors…to be brave…to be men of honor and courage. How can a man not believe what is imprinted in his DNA, having been created in his Father’s image? The enemy’s chief strategy is to deceive us, to have us believe a lie and live emasculated and passive lives. Yet all the while, the great adventure awaits every man…just over the hill. Our women and children are counting on us to believe…the Truth!