His Final Touch

I stood in front of the cell, speechless, for a long period of time when the strange little man noticed the expression of concern on my face. He looked into my eyes to the point of making me a little nervous.

"What is it?" He asked.

"I'm concerned for your well-being. I know, sooner or later, Nero will get well and carry out the execution," I said.

"I am not concerned. As I've said before, it was to this end I was born. No man has done what I have done. I've been given an audience before all the magistrates of Rome at one point or another. I have shared the truth about the Son of God, and some have listened, while others thought me mad. I have finished the job Christ instructed me to do," he said calmly.

"I wish I could be as calm as you, because let's face it, I have grown rather fond of you. You are quite an unusual man. I've never seen such clarity in purpose in even the greatest of our generals," I bragged as if I were somehow responsible for his confidence.

"Thank you, Michael. You can have the same assurance about who you are, and what you are chosen to do. It all comes through faith in the Son of God," he said.

"Well, that's where I fall short, I'm afraid. I'm not sure I have the capacity or capability to measure up to the faith required to give my life for Christianity," I said.