Today is a special day called the “Ides of March”, which refers to the moon being full in the middle of the month.  This also occurs in May, July and October, and on the thirteenth in other months.  The Ides of March is especially significant because it was on this day that the Roman emperor Julius Caesar was assassinated by members of the Roman Senate.  They were concerned that he was becoming too powerful.  A Roman soothsayer is said to have warned Caesar to beware the Ides of March.

        “Words from Above” in the Bible tell of a far more significant day in history believed to have occurred on April 3, A. D. 33, the day when Jesus was believed to have been crucified.  It is unlikely that Caesar volunteered to be assassinated, but in the case of Jesus, He voluntarily did submit to His crucifixion.  It was in the plan of God before the foundation of the world for His Son Jesus to be born in human form, to live and serve the people of the world, and to die on the Cross to pay the penalty for the sins of all the people of the world.

        No one had to warn Jesus to beware of a plot to crucify Him, but on the contrary, He warned His disciples that He would die and be raised again the third day following His crucifixion and burial.  They did not believe that He would die, and they did not believe that He was alive after He rose from the dead.  They were not convinced by the empty tomb, but they were finally convinced when He appeared to them alive as they gathered together with the doors locked in a secret location.

        Following the assassination of Julius Caesar, a new emperor succeeded him on the Roman throne, but instead of being succeeded Jesus arose from the dead and is alive forevermore.  By rising from the dead, He succeeded in defeating both sin and spiritual death, and gives us the hope that we too can be raised to life.  Following His death and resurrection, Jesus returned to heaven, but one day He will come back again in a great event which is called the Rapture of the Church.  He will gather together all His faithful followers and take them with Him to heaven, where they will spend eternity forever.

        Caesar was not prepared for his assassination, but we can be prepared for the Rapture by confessing our sins, seeking God’s forgiveness, and then inviting Jesus to live within our hearts.  We do not know when the Rapture will occur, but we should beware and be ready for it.  

Larry R. Steffee is pastor of the Center Hill Brethren In Christ Church on Miller Road in Smithville.  Everyone is welcome to attend.  For informa-tion, you may email lrsteffeetn@yahoo.com.