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This article was written by artist, writer and lecturer Bridgette Mongeon and is used with permission from the artist and God’s Word Collectible Christian Gifts. http://www.godsword.net. Please visit the God’s Word web site.

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STAND TOGETHER AND FIGHT!
by Bridgette Mongeon ©2002
 


Who would have thought a scene from a blood and guts Hollywood movie could have such an effect on my faith?

I was awestruck by the scene the first time I saw it. Profound was the hidden message that the Holy Spirit was sending me.

The movie was Gladiator. I struggled through most of the movie hoping to find some reason for watching, until this simple scene. Maximus, played by Russell Crow, is a Roman general that has become a slave and is now sent with many others to the Coliseum arena to fight. The slaves position themselves and proclaim "We who are about to die, salute you". All salute except Maximums who refuses. Here starts my lesson. It doesn't matter what arena you find yourself in or what battle you are about to fight, there is only one King and He is the one that deserves our honor.

In the arena the scene plays as follows:

MAXIMUS: Anyone here been in the army?

FELLOW-FIGHTER #1: Yes

FELLOW-FIGHTER #2: I served with you in Vindobona.

MAXIMUS: You can help me. Whatever comes out of these gates, we have a better chance of survival if we work together.

Do you understand?

If we stay together, we survive.

It is his Kings army that Maximus is speaking of. If these slaves have been in the Kings army then he knew they were trained to fight. The visual of this scene is astounding. Most of the men are wandering the arena challenging the adversary with their individual strength one by one they are killed. But the group who decides to follow Maximus come together in a circle. The large shields protect not only the front but also the side and the top of each person within the circle. There is no place for any attack to get through. The only things that you can see other than shields are the swords that stick out between each shield. Often times the swords damage the adversary in his own assault.

MAXIMUS: "Come together...stay close...lock your shields, stay as one....."

You would think that this is a defensive maneuver, but those shields do more than you think. One chariot tries to ride close to the circle of warriors.

MAXIMUS: "Hold ... Diamond! Diamond!"

The slaves nearest the chariot do as ordered, changing the positions and the angles of their shields to the diamond formation. The chariot's wheels ride up on the shields, unbalancing the chariot so that it flips over on its side. The Legionnaire is sent flying to the ground as the chariot slides on its side away from the circle. In this Diamond maneuver the shield is used in offensive position.

I believe we, as Christians, sometimes must ask this same question. "Has anyone fought for the King?"

Sometimes we will find that the attacks by our adversary feel overwhelming. It is at this time that we must do as Maximus, gathering warriors around us to pray and hold up their shield of faith locked with our own. We in turn must also commit to doing this for others. Surrounding those in leadership of our church, gathering around our friends, children and our families.

In this position it is also important to speak exhortation and encouragement to those we are protecting, continually reminding them of their truths. This is the sword that sticks out from the center of our circle. The sword of truth in Ephesians is the Word of God. We must speak this truth to our comrades reminding them that God loves them and is using
them, that he will see us through this and that whatever the adversary
sends out of the gates we will work together to defeat it.

Knowing that if we stay together, in faith, we survive!



God's Word Christian GiftsThis article was written by artist, writer and lecturer Bridgette Mongeon and is used with permission from the artist and God’s Word Collectible Christian Gifts. http://www.godsword.net. Please visit the God’s Word web site.

Give God's Word as a gift, collect God's Word in your heart.

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