Who am I really following? part 1

This morning I read out of my mother's Devotional book, "Diamonds for Dusty roads." One of the stories in today's devotion totally got me and put a big lump in my throat and then the tears started coming.....

The following story goes like this:

One of the more heroic stories ever told about standing right was in the days of the Roman Emperor Nero. There lived and served him a band of soldiers known as the "Emperor's Wrestlers." Fine, stalwart men, picked from the best and the bravest of the land. In the great amphitheater they stood before each contest, before the emperor's throne and sang, "We the wrestlers, wrestling for thee, O Emperor, to win for thee the victory and from thee, the victor's crown." When the great Roman army was sent to fight in faraway Gaul, no soldiers were braver or more loyal than this band of wrestlers led by their centurion Vespasian. But news reached Nero that many Roman soldiers had accepted the christian faith. Therefore the decree was dispatched to the centurion Vespasian. "If there be any among your soldiers who cling to the faith of the Chrisitan, they must die!" The decree was received in the dead of winter. The soldiers were camped on the shore of a frozen lake. It was with sinking heart that Vespasian read the emperor's message. He called the soldiers together and asked the question, "Is there any among you who cling to the faith of the Christian? If so, let him step forward." Forty wrestlers instantly stepped forward two paces, respectfully saluted and stood at attention. Vespasian pleaded with them long and earnestly without prevailing upon a single man to deny his Lord. Finally he said, "The decree of the emperor must be obeyed, but I am not willing that your comrades should shed your blood. I am going to order that you march out upon the lake of ice and I shall leave you to the mercy of the elements. " The forty wrestlers were stipped and then, falling into columns of four, marched toward the center of the lake. As they marched, they broke into the chant of the arena, "Forty wrestlers, wrestling for Thee, O Christ, to win for thee the victory and from Thee, the victor's crown!" Through the long hours of the night Vespasian stood by his campfire and watched. As he waited through the long night, there came to him fainter and fainter the wrestler's song. As the morning drew near, one figure, overcome by exposure, crept quietly toward the fire; he had renounced his Lord. Faintly but clearly from the darkness came the song: "Thirty-nine wrestlers, wrestling for Thee, O Christ, to win for thee the victory and from Thee, the victor's crown!" Vespasian looked at the figure drawing close to the fire, then took off his helmet and clothing and sprang upon the ice, crying, "Forty wrestlers, wrestling for Thee, O Christ, to win for Thee, the victory and from Thee, the victor's crown."

Wow is right! They gave up their lives for HIM. And by their example their "Head Chief" gave up his life and followed their Lord because he was so moved by their faith and trust in their God, Jesus Christ!