Enjoy the Sound of Singing, Charlie

A gladiator stands in the arena over his fallen antagonist. He waits for the signal to spar or end with lethal violence the life of his poor victim. Thousands look on, seeing this barbarous sport, with no more immediate interest than in the agony, an act devoid of moral consideration. Then some begin to look more intently. Their hearts stir within them. A new, superior force than death is on display down there in the dust. Eyes moisten with tears. For that poor youth waiting for the verdict of death, holds up his hand. Not to stop the blade, not reaching for pity, and not in desperation and despair. He makes the sign of the cross. It is a Christian, down there in the dust. Heir of all things in Christ, doomed to die in a pool of blood. He dies for his Savior, having concluded that because He died, he has died; and that because He lives, he also lives. He does not recant his faith in the blood-soaked sands, with the mobs roaring in demand for his death filling his ears. He does not despise his Savior for this end, even though it was for His sake he has been brought here to die. Even with the sound of the blade whirling in the air toward his neck, he stays his course, his hope fixed before him – the blood of his Savior filling his heart with courageous trust.

Who is the braver man – the barbarous killer, or the image of Christ’s heart covered in blood and dust? Whose courage impresses itself throughout centuries, and sways proud hearts low through the centuries? Look to the crumbling colosseum of Rome, and you have your answer. See in that young man the heroism that spilt itself in love on Calvary. See the conqueror there, beheaded in the sands, lifted with Christ on high, a crown of glory placed on his head, and the sound of the singing of his God filling his ears forever. That heroic heart lives on even today, whereas Rome’s gods and armies and governments are gone.

That courageous trust in Christ was shown in Charlie Kirk every time he stepped – willingly, fully recognizing the danger – into the arena of our age. He lifted up Christ on the cross high before the hearts of proud, hateful people. The Spirit of His God filled his heart with the same love that died for His wicked enemies two thousand years ago.

Enjoy the sound of singing, Charlie. See you soon.