When you stand on the terraced areas inside the Colosseum, that great amphitheatre that rubs shoulders with modern Rome, just across the road, there is no doubt you are drawn back to a time when sport and fun were strange bedfellows and the thirst for blood always seemed to far outweigh fair play. Life was cheap and death often came at the whim of a leader or the drop of a hand from the balcony. The magnificent building may have lost much of its original structure internally but its architectural splendour, its imposing arched walls and the cobbled streets that surround it and lead towards the Forum, allow today's visitors to walk in the steps of Roman citizens of a bygone age when their armies ruled far beyond their borders. A short stroll down the cobbled pathway and you are transported to the centre of commerce and judgement for the Roman citizens as you amble through the ruins of temples, arches and basilicas dedicated to emperors and gods and just for a moment you are again transported to world bustling with activity and laughter, deals and rituals, a world that existed for so long and then one day died. Not just in one day but over a period of many years as the influence of Rome abroad and then at home began to wane and other great powers became the centre of attraction and control. But for the Romans it was good while it lasted and I guess they never thought that one day tourists from all over the world would come to view the ruins that was their city and try to imagine a vibrant community that no longer exists in that place.
Walking to the Sistine chapel at the Vatican is an altogether different experience, as you pass along narrow corridors of rooms and marvel at the artwork adorning the walls and ceilings and see at first hand the original works of brilliance by names that you only ever read about in books. Once inside, Botticelli, Michelangelo and Raphael display their works depicting the life if Christ, the life of Moses, the twelve apostles, the last judgement, Creation and man's fall to name only a few. It is the site of the Papal Conclave where cardinals meet to elect a new Pope and its structure is supposed to resemble the temple of Solomon.
And there is so much else to see, beyond this spectacular building, including the magnificent centre piece of St Peter's Basilica, the tombs of the past Popes, the Swiss Guard with their colourful and quaint uniforms, the huge square bordered by the colonnades that enclose it in a ellipse and the red granite Egyptian obelisk that stands at the centre . At Christmas time it is overshadowed by a huge Christmas tree and a spectacular nativity scene.
I suppose it's not really very different to many of the other great sites and structures of our world and there is something quite breathtaking about witnessing these places in the flesh. But maybe it is the Colosseum that we should remember and how transient in the bigger picture it was. How interesting that the majority of the Wonders of the ancient world are now just memories. And despite its reported beauty, Solomon's temple equally was unable to stand the test of time. Maybe we need to refocus on that which is not transient, that which will stand the test of time, that which will last for ever. In chapter 92, the Psalmist writes 'Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.' Jesus also tells us about something that stands the test of time when he says, 'I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.'And the Psalmist also records 'Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations.' So while our buildings, our friends, our jobs, our possessions eventually are no more the life that Jesus offers for those who put their faith in Him lasts for eternity. For ever is a long time and since we are no more durable and long lasting than anything else, I think His promise is worth considering.
They call Rome the Eternal City. I guess eternity is longer than they thought!
