Sermon Illustrations

It is said of the gladiators that on the day before a mortal battle to death, that they would visit the arena. It would be empty and quiet. As the quiet prevailed, they would begin to imagine the enemy, be it man or beast, approaching. In their mind, they could hear the roar of the crowd, they would see the glint of sunlight tapering from the scepter of the Caesar, they would smell the fear, they would know the rush of adrenaline, and they would stretch their muscles. The great gladiators would practice their moves. The victory would be won before the day of the battle ever began. They were crossing the Kidron before they ever got there.