Lessons from Julius Ceasar

Proverbs 20:24 A man’s steps are of the Lord; How then can a man understand his own way?

I have been interested lately in Roman history. Really exciting right? Yes, I am a bit of a nerd. But studying the life of Julius Caesar has opened my eyes to some interesting life lessons. For instance, the month of July is named for Julius Caesar. But you probably already knew that one. But did you know he was kidnapped one time by pirates? Yes, this is true. He was offended that they asked for 20 talents of silver, saying they should have asked for 50 talents. He would read them poetry and tell them stories. He ingratiated himself so much to them that he made them laugh while telling them he would one day hunt them down and kill them. Indeed, he did.

This man introduced the Julian calendar, hence the aforementioned July. This calendar lasted until the 16^th century. He made the Roman senate pass a law saying he could wear a laurel leaf around his head because he was so vain about his male pattern baldness. But the saddest fact I have come across is that he was worshipped like a god after his assassination. But we must remember that a man’s steps are of the Lord. He used all of this foolishness for His plan.

Jeremiah 35:15 I have also sent to you all My servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, “Turn now everyone from his evil way, amend your doings, and do not go after other gods…”

One fascinating story that intrigued me about this man Caesar was after the first Civil War in Rome’s history. Julius was born on the wrong side of the tracks and really had no chance to God planning his steps. He married a woman who happened to be the daughter of one of the richest men in Rome. He was young, smart but not that ambitious at this time. But soon the drums of war began to beat and the war began. Unfortunately for Julius, the side he found himself lost. He barely escaped with his life. He spent the next decade floundering.

He finally began to rise a bit with the new government and became a questor; this is a position like our modern-day Chief of Staff with an Army General. He finally seemed to be finding his footing but soon his fortune would change, in more ways than one. He was noticed by an enemy of his dead father-in-law and soon found himself sequestered on a ship headed to Spain. He was black balled and the old concept out of sight out of mind came into play. He was ruined in his own mind and thought his chances in life were over.

A few months later as he was walking around one of the cities of Spain, him and the friends who were with him walked into a temple. In this temple was false gods and other works of the history of the region. As they walked through, they came across a bust of Alexander the Great. His friends turned after a few minutes and walked away. But they did not see their friend Julius after some time. They turned and looked and witnessed Julius staring at the bust and as they walked upon him noticed him crying.

They walked to him and were concerned. They had never seen him like this and thought that he was having some kind of mental breakdown. “What is wrong?” They asked him. His response is what changed history. “This man in front of me had conquered the world and died of heartbreak at the same age I am. What have I accomplished?” That day he set in his mind that Alexander the Great’s accomplishments were his god, and he was going to find a way to become greater than this god. Nothing else mattered from henceforth but his success and accomplishments.

Titus 3:1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be ready for every good work.

Julius was good to his words. He rose to the rank of general shortly thereafter and went to Gaul, modern day France, and perfected his craft. He collected more wealth than he needed but gave it all away to his friends. This process of conquest and wealth collection lasted for almost thirteen years. He finally returned to the borders of his country with the thought of being a dictator. He started the second civil war in Rome’s history and soon became ruler. But he spent years after fighting his friend and rival, Pompeii.

When he finally settled the war, he came back to Rome to enjoy the fruits of his labors. He had accomplished what he set out to do. He became wealthy, a great general and now dictator. Soon, the people of Rome would celebrate him as a god. What he started out to do so many years ago in Spain after meditating at the bust of another conqueror, had been accomplished. Now it was time to preside over all the empire of Rome. But in the end, his friends and rivals of the senate had assassinated him. A lifetime of chasing a dream was gone. What was left?

Mark 8:37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

I know that this has been a long journey, but it is an important one for us to take. I want you to think about your life and your dreams. What if you have come to the place where you are having your Julius Caesar moment in front of the bust of Alexander the Great? How far would you go to accomplish something for this world? Would you forsake all to gain the whole world like Caesar? Is it so important for you to gain everything in this world but lose your soul in the end?

Now let us change some characters in this story. What if you come face to face with Jesus? What if your soul was on fire for Him and you gave it to Him and wanted to spread Him around the world? What would this process look like? Would you forsake everything to accomplish what Jesus had given you to perform? This is the fulcrum, the choice that eternity for your soul hinges on. What is more important to you, your soul or all the glory of the world? Your choices determine that answer.