Kevin Alan Wells

Welcome to Mamertine Prison, Ancient Rome’s state penitentiary. It’s nothing more than a hole in the ground—carved from the bedrock, dark, damp, and covered in human waste.

According to tradition, this was the prison cell of the Apostle Paul before his martyrdom. No wonder in his last letter Paul urged Timothy to come to him as quickly as he could, and by any means, bring a blanket before winter.

This was supposed to be the job of someone else, a man named Demas. Demas was charged with staying at Mamertine and serving as the aging apostle’s helper and companion.

“But,” Paul wrote to Timothy, “Demas is in love with this present world, and so, has deserted me for Thessalonica.” (2 Tim 4.10)

The mention of that city doesn’t bring many images to our minds today. But when Demas abandoned his ministry to make it his home, Thessalonica was one of the metropolitan capitals of the Roman Empire; the biggest city, and business epicenter of its region—the New York or London of its day.

What was it that drew Demas to this capital city? Was it the cutting edge fashions of the wealthy businessmen’s trophy wives? The rich culture and opportunity of a major port city? Maybe it was the only place in the world Demas could find his favorite restaurant or shoe store. Whatever drew him there, Demas’ passion for it caused him to abandon the Apostle Paul alone and cold, locked in an underground cave. So much for Demas.

But what about you—what passion drives you to your decisions, and at what cost?

Why do you make a certain country, city, and street address your home? Is it a part of your passion for God? Is it because you are in love with the present world?

Photo by Rickydavid.