Have you been to Rome? Georgia does not count. I missed a chance on a tour back in 2001. I’ve been trying to get there ever since. Paul wanted to go there, too. In his world, “all roads” led to Rome. He had such success ministering to Gentiles across the ancient world, but he had never been to the capitol of the Empire. The dazzling lights and life of the capitol city did not pull Paul in. He hoped to bring light into the spiritual darkness there.
Why did Paul want to go? It wasn’t just that he had to say something. Thankfully, he actually had something to say. Paul hoped to preach good news to the people there. We should never be ashamed of good news. God’s good news offers salvation to all who believe no matter where we come from, geographically, relationally or spiritually.
We either receive God’s righteousness or reckon with God’s wrath. Both are revealed to us today. Which will we receive? Paul stopped through Rome on his way home. And so will I, this summer. There I hope to see the city where Paul preached, the Coliseum where Christians died for the sake of the good news that I believe and the catacombs where they were buried. I want to remember the price they paid for their faith and believe. Do you believe? I do.