Without Rival: Embrace your Identity and Purpose in an Age of Confusion and Comparison by Lisa Bevere Ch. 10: A Life Unrivaled Pg 225-227
“You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream.” C. S. Lewis
I want to share yet another ancient story of courage and devotion with you. There once was a beautiful young virgin named Thecla. She chanced to overhear the gospel as Paul preached in a neighboring house. She sat perched by her window transfixed as she listened to Paul’s call to the young men and women to worship Christ in chastity and virtue. Thecla was betrothed, but when she heard Paul’s words, she decided to spurn the arranged marriage and live out the remainder of her days for the glory of God.
Paul was oblivious to his influence on Thecla, but her decision did not go over well with her mother and her fiancé, who used their influence to stir up an angry mob against Paul. The civil unrest landed Paul before one of the governors of Iconium, who had him immediately imprisoned.
Grief stricken, Thecla used pieces of jewelry to bribe her way into the prison to meet Paul and hear the gospel of Jesus directly. When her family discovered their missing daughter in Paul’s prison cell, they had both of them brought before the governor. Paul was scourged then cast outside the city. Thecla’s mother denounced her, and the young woman was condemned to death. She would be burnt at the stake to serve as an example to any other daughters who might consider such wanton rebellion.
As Thecla went to her death, Paul gathered with other Christians outside the city in the catacombs and prayed earnestly. Thecla was bound to the stake, but when the flame was lit, she didn’t catch on fire. Then a storm of unusual violence arose, the downpour put out the flames at her feet, and Thecla was delivered from death. Afraid that it was a sign from the Greek gods, the authorities released her and put her out of the city. Disowned, Thecla met up with the other banished Christians who had decided to travel in the company of Paul to Antioch.
No sooner had they entered the city when a man of great influence and power named Alexander was drawn to Thecla’s beauty and tried to purchase her from Paul. When Paul refused, he tried to take her by force. Thecla fought back violently and in the process, removed Alexander’s crown of laurel leaves and spurned him publicly, as she commanded him not to touch a handmaiden of God.
Outraged, Alexander dragged her before the governor of Antioch. In the dispute, Thecla admitted tearing Alexander’s clothes as she tried to escape. Again, she was condemned to die. Her execution was set for the following day, and this time she was to be torn and eaten by wild beasts.
The women of Antioch were outraged. They felt the judgment against Thecla was unjust. A Roman woman of noble birth stepped forward and requested that Thecla be allowed to stay in her home rather than in the prison to protect her virginity. Over the course of the evening the older and younger women became close friends.
The next morning the noblewoman wept bitterly as Thecla was chained behind a fierce lioness and led off to an arena. The crowd roared as Thecla was stripped and forced into a stadium filled with lions and bears. The first creature to reach her was the lioness. It came running up to her, but rather than attack, the lioness turned and adopted a posture of protection at Thecla’s feet.
A bear charged, but before it could reach Thecla, the lioness killed it. Next, a male lion attacked, but again the lioness fought to protect Thecla. The struggle ended with the death of both lions, their bodies locked in combat at her feet. The masters of the game whipped and goaded the remaining animals toward their prey. But beast after fierce beast cowered and refused to attack. The crowd fell silent, as the fear of the Lord hushed the noisy arena. Thecla lifted her voice and prayed boldly.
The governor stood to his feet and stopped the games. He demanded to know who this woman was and what was the source of this power she possessed. She answered, “I am the handmaid of the living God . . . I have believed on that Son in whom God is well pleased. For He alone is the way of salvation and the substance of life immortal . . . whosoever believeth not on him, shall not live . . .”
The governor commanded clothes to be brought to her and ordered her release. Hundreds if not thousands were converted to Christ that day, and the early church annals reported that the women of Antioch praised God with one voice until the city shook with the sound. Thecla went on to live a long, full life and preached the gospel until she died in her nineties.
NEXT UP: Living with A Brash Boldness During Times of Chaos, Confusion, & Comparisons! Summarized Pages 224-244