Reason of Desiring to Die
Ignatius desires to die for Christ and prioritizes His love over worldly desires.
Ignatius of Antioch urges the believers in Rome to resist the temptations of the world and remain steadfast in their faith in Jesus Christ. He emphasizes the importance of choosing God over worldly desires, warning against envy and distractions that may lead them astray. Ignatius expresses his willingness to die for Christ and his longing for spiritual nourishment from the bread of God, symbolizing the flesh of Jesus, and the drink of His blood, representing incorruptible love and eternal life.
Text
The prince of this world would fain carry me away, and corrupt my disposition towards God. Let none of you, therefore, who are [in Rome] help him; rather be ye on my side, that is, on the side of God. Do not speak of Jesus Christ, and yet prefer this world to Him. Let not envy find a dwelling-place among you; nor even should I, when present with you, exhort you to it, be ye persuaded, but rather give credit to those things which I now write to you.
For though I am alive while I write to you, yet I am eager to die for the sake of Christ. My love has been crucified, and there is no fire in me that loves anything; but there is living water springing up in me, and which says to me inwardly, Come to the Father. I have no delight in corruptible food, nor in the pleasures of this life.
I desire the bread of God, the heavenly bread, the bread of life, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who became afterwards of the seed of David and Abraham; and I desire the drink, namely His blood, which is incorruptible love and eternal life.
Sermon Outline
- The Dangers of Worldly Influence
- The Importance of Prioritizing Christ
- The Desire to Die for Christ
- Crucified love for the world
- Desire for the bread of God and the drink of His blood
Key Quotes
“My love has been crucified, and there is no fire in me that loves anything; but there is living water springing up in me, and which says to me inwardly, Come to the Father.” — Ignatius of Antioch
“I desire the bread of God, the heavenly bread, the bread of life, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who became afterwards of the seed of David and Abraham;” — Ignatius of Antioch
“I desire the drink, namely His blood, which is incorruptible love and eternal life.” — Ignatius of Antioch
Application Points
- Prioritize Christ and His love in our lives, above worldly desires.
- Give credit to the things written in this letter and stand on God's side.
- Desire the bread of God and the drink of His blood, which is eternal life.