I Appeal To Caesar!

Praise songs and Scripture portions flow like a river of sound! The joyful music sweeps upward through the ceiling hole and startled guards stare at one another in profound amazement!

“What could make these rotting creatures issue such

sounds of joy and happiness?” they ask one another.

One veteran prison-keeper says with such deep emotion that the others give him a bewildered look. “I thought they were all dead! What has happened down there?” The Christians who have followed the death march now stand at a discrete distance, intensely concerned, weeping as they pray, sing, and chant God’s words and psalms. Insensitive guards find themselves sympathetic, as compassion arises in many calloused hearts. Rufus is amazed at the growing size of the crowd expressing support and prayer for the apostles. Meanwhile, the one hundred men of the Century stand at ease, awaiting instructions, wondering and doubting the sense of executing two of the greatest human beings they have ever seen. Rufus, the battle-hardened Commander, hesitates to leave, smiling grimly as the heart-warming sounds ascend from the hole. Somehow, he now understands. Some standing nearby hear the veteran soldier declare, “ Rome has not conquered this man or his Christ; the Lord of the Christians has conquered Rome !”

With bold authority, Rufus announces to the guards of the Mamertine, “I will be back first thing tomorrow morning