Sermon Illustrations for Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 (2016)
Illustration
Object:
Isaiah 65:17-25
This passage from Isaiah proclaims a new world order, a world where peace and prosperity reigns, where people live long lives in peace, and where even the animal kingdom ceases its predator/prey relationships. This is not a world like we have seen before. It is a different vision: a new heaven and a new earth, a dream that none of us can truly imagine. And yet, there are glimpses of this world-yet-to-be.
Every so often I see a picture of a dog raising a cat, or one species of bird raising another, or a horse nurturing a lamb, or a fox protecting a chicken, or a lion caring for a fawn -- and I wonder if we aren’t seeing a foretaste of the “peaceable kingdom” Isaiah prophesies about. Surely there are some unlikely partners us humans make as well -- partnerships across races, ideologies, creeds, political parties, generations. Isaiah provides a picture of a future where compassion, gentleness, tolerance, and acceptance of difference are more than just possible; where the acceptance of differences is commonplace. It’s a vision I hope for. It’s a vision I work toward, and with love and with God I believe it is a vision that is possible.
Bonnie B.
Isaiah 65:17-25
The house was in poor shape. It had been a long time since anyone had lived there. The porch sagged. Windows were broken. Paint was chipping on all sides. The front door was held by just one hinge. Community leaders had warned that if the house was not repaired it would be torn down. For most people in town, it was an eyesore that needed to go away. Not everyone thought that, though. A group of young people from the church in town saw it differently. It was more than the decaying wreckage of what used to be a home. It could still be something. On a Saturday morning Project Restoration started. Twenty-two high school and college age young people began to restore the old house. Much-needed repairs were made. Cleaning and washing were done by young hands, eager to serve. Paint was put on liberally. It didn’t happen overnight, but almost. In less than 48 hours of work, Project Restoration was completed. The house looked fresh and new. They were excited to hand the keys over to a single mother and her child. It was a new beginning.
In this passage we find another restoration. God is making all things new. The whole created order is to be renewed. The God who had identified with his people in their affliction would now do so in their joy. We can know that a day is coming when the heartache and heartbreak of this life will cease. There will come a day when pain and suffering will be disarmed. Those things that seek to wreck and destroy lives will be gone. God will make all things new. It is something to celebrate.
Bill T.
Isaiah 65:17-25
Isaiah envisions a new world in which babies can expect to live to be 100 years old as a matter of course. Some think we may have accomplished that goal. Or is it a matter of fiddling with numbers?
The average life expectancy at the time when Jesus lived was around 30 to 34 years. By contrast, there are some who say that two-thirds of babies born today in the developed world have a good chance of reaching 100! Probably a lot of us have known more than one centenarian. You may be preaching to fairly healthy people who are over a century old. And there are even more optimistic predictions that when the average lifespan hits 100, that means there will be people who live to as long as 150!
Did you notice, however, that term “average lifespan”? Some studies show that the lifespans of those who did not die in infancy or childhood and who were not killed in wars or accidents but went on to live normal lives were the same length of time as they are now! The high rate of infant and child mortality, as well the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, dragged down the average lifespan. Some say what we’re seeing is a drastic drop in the number of people who die young, or of disease, or in war.
Still, it looks like Isaiah was onto something when he proclaims: “No more shall there be in it an infant that lives but a few days, or an old person who does not live out a lifetime; for one who dies at a hundred years will be considered a youth, and one who falls short of a hundred will be considered accursed” (v. 20).
Frank R.
Isaiah 65:17-25
No, God did not nor will he send us to another planet. We might like the idea; astronomers might speculate on it. But that is not what he is telling us. We can still remember the past. Certainly the Jerusalem over there is not a total delight, and there is the sound of weeping and crying!
Children and old people still die too soon.
There are those who build houses, while others live in them and others eat what they have planted.
Then he talks about a tree. Some can live for decades and even centuries. God’s chosen will have a brighter future. We will be his people! Even our descendants will enjoy their future. That implies that it will not be in heaven, where we will not be married or given in marriage -- it must be now.
Jeremiah is talking about the Chaldaen captivity. He had been in prison for ten years and was now 60 -- almost old enough to retire! During that time he saw disaster and heard weeping and disappointment. But he is saying there is hope for the future if we just go on living.
I have visited over 75 different countries in the world, and some have been captive for decades and can relate to Jeremiah’s words. But there are some that have experienced something like a new world. Their experience is part literal but part spiritual. Knowing that God is creating a new “world” for them gives them joy.
The king is blaming Jeremiah for the disaster, but discovers that the prophet’s words are true. That purchase by Jeremiah made it a whole new earth for him, even though he had no descendants to share it with.
I got some of those feelings when I bought a new house, though I don’t recall the disastrous feelings ahead of the purchase. I also know who will inherit it. There is only hope!
This seems to tell us that God will be with us to bless us in this world and in the world his love is planning for us. God is LOVE! So just trust in him and expect love wherever you are.
Bob O.
2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
(Before preaching on this text, do the biblical study carefully. This passage has not been “torn from the headlines of today’s newspaper.” The idleness and/or laziness referenced do not point to current political conversations about social welfare, unemployment, living wages, or income inequality. The concern is with those who can and should make a positive contribution to the community good, but who don’t. Instead they expend their time and energy disrupting the productive work of others by introducing chaos into the community.)
When I was in college, I worked summers for a small building contractor. For the most part I fulfilled the role of worksite “go-fer.” When the crew chief, carpenters, or masons needed anything, I was the one charged to go for it.
That job gave me opportunity to learn about roles of workers. For instance, I was on one all-male crew that included these folks. There was Barry, the boss. He was our “creative thinker/planner/leader.” When one task was finished, Barry was the one who gave instruction on what needed to be done next. As our leader, Barry not only planned ahead but also regularly offered encouragement and made everyone feel appreciated. We were better, more productive employees because of Barry.
Then there was Joe. He filled the role of “totally committed worker.” Joe always arrived early, never left late, never took a break, and never missed a day. Because he found great satisfaction in his work, he never complained and loved his job.
Sam, on the other hand, was a “contributor.” He was always on time, but he never arrived early or stayed late. His work was not the most important thing in his life, but he did it and did it well. He contributed to the team. Sam was an enormously valued employee.
Unfortunately, Gary was also on that crew. He was our resident “disrupter.” Gary found little satisfaction in his work. Consequently, he was always alert to finding ways to avoid doing his job. He usually arrived late, left early, and seldom returned from lunch on time. He resisted every new idea suggested by Barry, the crew chief. His slovenly work habits, disagreeable nature, and constant complaining sowed seeds of dissent among the rest of the crew.
Gary never seemed very interested in doing the job to the best of his ability. To paraphrase 2 Thessalonians 3:13, Gary was weary in doing what was right.
In nearly 40 years of ministry, I have never known a church that didn’t have a few members like Gary. Fortunately, every church I ever served also had a plentiful number of members like Barry, Joe, and Sam.
R. Robert C.
2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
“You have to work like hell.” How about a fresh take on this tired old phrase? “Work like it was heaven.” Paul held the two (work and the end times) together in our lesson.
Because Christ is on the horizon, don’t get lazy. Martin Luther said much the same thing once about work. God is right with us in our work. Our jobs are the masks he uses to give us good things (What Luther Says, p. 1495). As he once put it: “Your work is a very sacred matter. God delights in it, and through it he wants to bestow his blessing on you. This praise of work should be inscribed on all tools, on the forehead and the face that sweat from toiling” (What Luther Says, p. 1493).
Understanding work as done in the presence of God makes it more important. But just as according to Luther work in heaven will never tire us, will consume us with joy, work takes on that character here on earth when you do it in God’s presence like we will in heaven (What Luther Says, p. 621). And then Christians can say with the 19th-century French novelist George Sand that “Work is not man’s punishment. It is his reward and his strength and his pleasure.” Working in God’s presence leads to a joyfulness that can bring to fruition in our lives famed historian Arnold Toynbee’s advice that we are wise to blur the line between work and play.
Mark E.
2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
Dennis Green was one of the first black head coaches in the NFL. Best remembered for leading the Minnesota Vikings to a consistent run of victories in the 1990s, Green said about being an African-American head coach: “I am a product of the civil rights movement and came along at a time when doors were opening.” Green went on to say, “I don’t think anybody considered me a black coach. I don’t think a player considered what my race is. I think he wants someone who will teach him something.”
Application: We are told in our reading how we are to be examples that others can imitate.
Ron L.
Luke 21:5-19
I ran across this unusual information recently. According to the most recent Secret Service data, there is nearly $9 million in counterfeit money circulating in the United States. With the rise of digital printing, it is getting easier and easier to produce counterfeit bills that will fool the average cashier or business owner -- not to mention most consumers. I did an internet search and discovered how the experts advise people to distinguish between what is counterfeit money and what is real. They tell people to examine very closely the genuine bills and note where the counterfeits come up short. Examine the real thing so you can tell what’s fake. I think that makes sense.
This passage records a conversation between Jesus and the disciples. There is a lot of talk about the end times and coming persecution. That’s what will get a lot of attention, and justifiably so. However, there are a few words that could get lost among some big issues. Jesus says, “Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them.” Jesus warns the apostles that many false prophets would come. They should not follow. The same advice is good for us too. How can you tell? I think the advice of the money experts might apply here. Know the genuine article so well that you can tell what’s fake. So how well do you know the real thing?
Bill T.
Luke 21:5-19
Have you ever testified in court? As a human resource professional (prior to becoming a pastor), I needed to testify when a terminated employee sued our organization. It was a nerve-racking experience. Even though I knew I had followed policies and procedures, even though I knew we lived in a right-to-work state, even though I was prepared to respond, I was still nervous and anxious. Courtrooms can be intimidating.
Jesus speaks about the challenges of standing before opponents, of speaking truth in situations where we are judged. Yet Jesus shares one more thing. Don’t worry about what you will say. I will give you the words when you need them. Unlike my courtroom experience where preparation was key, there have been other times when I knew the words I was speaking did not come from me -- they were God’s words. At the bedside of a dying congregant, at the moment before major surgery, at the first meeting with a grieving family, I am always uncertain what to say. So I pray that Jesus, that God will give me the words. God has never let me down. The words of comfort, of love, of compassion, or of challenge have never failed to come. That is the blessing of trusting God -- at least for me. I trust that through prayer and reflection, through study and meditation, through faith that God will help me to be the one I am called to be. Thanks be to God!
Bonnie B.
Luke 21:5-19
This sounds like the news on television -- all the tragedies Jesus mentions are happening almost every day in today’s world!
Certainly nations are rising up against nations, and there have been earthquakes (including in Nepal, where I served). Famines are happening all over the world, and there are many pestilences like Ebola and HIV, etc. We are always afraid of events such as terrorists on earth and rocks from heaven.
If that were not enough, Jesus warns of persecution. That was certainly true in Nepal, where it was only legal to be a Christian after 1992. And there was also persecution after that. In some Muslim countries you can lose your life for being a Christian. Even a member of a family who turned Christian could be killed by his own relatives! It was harder to be a Christian in Russia and China at one time.
The persecution we might feel in our country is from those who resent us showing our faith or our denomination openly. Some Roman Catholics felt it when they were supposed to pay for Obamacare items.
I can recall times when God put words into my mouth. When a dying soldier asked if God could ever forgive the sinful life he had lived, the words God gave me were the words of the thief on the cross who had no time to make up for his sins. That really touched the soldier and opened the door to many more encouraging words from the Lord.
It should give us comfort to know that God’s love will always be with us, in good times or bad!
Bob O.
Luke 21:5-19
We know Herod the Great as a bloodthirsty murderer, but he was admired in the Roman empire for the architectural wonders he commissioned. This scripture text begins as Jesus addresses those who admire Herod’s great Second Temple with its “beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God” (v. 5). The Temple was one of the great wonders of the ancient world, and the outer court was open to travelers of every nation -- although stones have been discovered warning: “No foreigner is to go beyond the balustrade and the plaza of the temple zone. Whoever is caught doing so will have himself to blame for his death, which will follow.”
Did you know that Herod the Great was not only admired for the buildings he erected, but also as the savior of the Olympics? The games had been going on for hundreds of years, but Greece was impoverished following its fall to the Romans. Herod, learning of dire condition of the facilities, made a huge grant of cash and in effect created a foundation that ensured the expenses for the resumption of the games would be paid, starting in 12 BC. He was named “President of the Olympics,” an office created just for him, in which he served for life.
Frank R.
This passage from Isaiah proclaims a new world order, a world where peace and prosperity reigns, where people live long lives in peace, and where even the animal kingdom ceases its predator/prey relationships. This is not a world like we have seen before. It is a different vision: a new heaven and a new earth, a dream that none of us can truly imagine. And yet, there are glimpses of this world-yet-to-be.
Every so often I see a picture of a dog raising a cat, or one species of bird raising another, or a horse nurturing a lamb, or a fox protecting a chicken, or a lion caring for a fawn -- and I wonder if we aren’t seeing a foretaste of the “peaceable kingdom” Isaiah prophesies about. Surely there are some unlikely partners us humans make as well -- partnerships across races, ideologies, creeds, political parties, generations. Isaiah provides a picture of a future where compassion, gentleness, tolerance, and acceptance of difference are more than just possible; where the acceptance of differences is commonplace. It’s a vision I hope for. It’s a vision I work toward, and with love and with God I believe it is a vision that is possible.
Bonnie B.
Isaiah 65:17-25
The house was in poor shape. It had been a long time since anyone had lived there. The porch sagged. Windows were broken. Paint was chipping on all sides. The front door was held by just one hinge. Community leaders had warned that if the house was not repaired it would be torn down. For most people in town, it was an eyesore that needed to go away. Not everyone thought that, though. A group of young people from the church in town saw it differently. It was more than the decaying wreckage of what used to be a home. It could still be something. On a Saturday morning Project Restoration started. Twenty-two high school and college age young people began to restore the old house. Much-needed repairs were made. Cleaning and washing were done by young hands, eager to serve. Paint was put on liberally. It didn’t happen overnight, but almost. In less than 48 hours of work, Project Restoration was completed. The house looked fresh and new. They were excited to hand the keys over to a single mother and her child. It was a new beginning.
In this passage we find another restoration. God is making all things new. The whole created order is to be renewed. The God who had identified with his people in their affliction would now do so in their joy. We can know that a day is coming when the heartache and heartbreak of this life will cease. There will come a day when pain and suffering will be disarmed. Those things that seek to wreck and destroy lives will be gone. God will make all things new. It is something to celebrate.
Bill T.
Isaiah 65:17-25
Isaiah envisions a new world in which babies can expect to live to be 100 years old as a matter of course. Some think we may have accomplished that goal. Or is it a matter of fiddling with numbers?
The average life expectancy at the time when Jesus lived was around 30 to 34 years. By contrast, there are some who say that two-thirds of babies born today in the developed world have a good chance of reaching 100! Probably a lot of us have known more than one centenarian. You may be preaching to fairly healthy people who are over a century old. And there are even more optimistic predictions that when the average lifespan hits 100, that means there will be people who live to as long as 150!
Did you notice, however, that term “average lifespan”? Some studies show that the lifespans of those who did not die in infancy or childhood and who were not killed in wars or accidents but went on to live normal lives were the same length of time as they are now! The high rate of infant and child mortality, as well the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, dragged down the average lifespan. Some say what we’re seeing is a drastic drop in the number of people who die young, or of disease, or in war.
Still, it looks like Isaiah was onto something when he proclaims: “No more shall there be in it an infant that lives but a few days, or an old person who does not live out a lifetime; for one who dies at a hundred years will be considered a youth, and one who falls short of a hundred will be considered accursed” (v. 20).
Frank R.
Isaiah 65:17-25
No, God did not nor will he send us to another planet. We might like the idea; astronomers might speculate on it. But that is not what he is telling us. We can still remember the past. Certainly the Jerusalem over there is not a total delight, and there is the sound of weeping and crying!
Children and old people still die too soon.
There are those who build houses, while others live in them and others eat what they have planted.
Then he talks about a tree. Some can live for decades and even centuries. God’s chosen will have a brighter future. We will be his people! Even our descendants will enjoy their future. That implies that it will not be in heaven, where we will not be married or given in marriage -- it must be now.
Jeremiah is talking about the Chaldaen captivity. He had been in prison for ten years and was now 60 -- almost old enough to retire! During that time he saw disaster and heard weeping and disappointment. But he is saying there is hope for the future if we just go on living.
I have visited over 75 different countries in the world, and some have been captive for decades and can relate to Jeremiah’s words. But there are some that have experienced something like a new world. Their experience is part literal but part spiritual. Knowing that God is creating a new “world” for them gives them joy.
The king is blaming Jeremiah for the disaster, but discovers that the prophet’s words are true. That purchase by Jeremiah made it a whole new earth for him, even though he had no descendants to share it with.
I got some of those feelings when I bought a new house, though I don’t recall the disastrous feelings ahead of the purchase. I also know who will inherit it. There is only hope!
This seems to tell us that God will be with us to bless us in this world and in the world his love is planning for us. God is LOVE! So just trust in him and expect love wherever you are.
Bob O.
2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
(Before preaching on this text, do the biblical study carefully. This passage has not been “torn from the headlines of today’s newspaper.” The idleness and/or laziness referenced do not point to current political conversations about social welfare, unemployment, living wages, or income inequality. The concern is with those who can and should make a positive contribution to the community good, but who don’t. Instead they expend their time and energy disrupting the productive work of others by introducing chaos into the community.)
When I was in college, I worked summers for a small building contractor. For the most part I fulfilled the role of worksite “go-fer.” When the crew chief, carpenters, or masons needed anything, I was the one charged to go for it.
That job gave me opportunity to learn about roles of workers. For instance, I was on one all-male crew that included these folks. There was Barry, the boss. He was our “creative thinker/planner/leader.” When one task was finished, Barry was the one who gave instruction on what needed to be done next. As our leader, Barry not only planned ahead but also regularly offered encouragement and made everyone feel appreciated. We were better, more productive employees because of Barry.
Then there was Joe. He filled the role of “totally committed worker.” Joe always arrived early, never left late, never took a break, and never missed a day. Because he found great satisfaction in his work, he never complained and loved his job.
Sam, on the other hand, was a “contributor.” He was always on time, but he never arrived early or stayed late. His work was not the most important thing in his life, but he did it and did it well. He contributed to the team. Sam was an enormously valued employee.
Unfortunately, Gary was also on that crew. He was our resident “disrupter.” Gary found little satisfaction in his work. Consequently, he was always alert to finding ways to avoid doing his job. He usually arrived late, left early, and seldom returned from lunch on time. He resisted every new idea suggested by Barry, the crew chief. His slovenly work habits, disagreeable nature, and constant complaining sowed seeds of dissent among the rest of the crew.
Gary never seemed very interested in doing the job to the best of his ability. To paraphrase 2 Thessalonians 3:13, Gary was weary in doing what was right.
In nearly 40 years of ministry, I have never known a church that didn’t have a few members like Gary. Fortunately, every church I ever served also had a plentiful number of members like Barry, Joe, and Sam.
R. Robert C.
2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
“You have to work like hell.” How about a fresh take on this tired old phrase? “Work like it was heaven.” Paul held the two (work and the end times) together in our lesson.
Because Christ is on the horizon, don’t get lazy. Martin Luther said much the same thing once about work. God is right with us in our work. Our jobs are the masks he uses to give us good things (What Luther Says, p. 1495). As he once put it: “Your work is a very sacred matter. God delights in it, and through it he wants to bestow his blessing on you. This praise of work should be inscribed on all tools, on the forehead and the face that sweat from toiling” (What Luther Says, p. 1493).
Understanding work as done in the presence of God makes it more important. But just as according to Luther work in heaven will never tire us, will consume us with joy, work takes on that character here on earth when you do it in God’s presence like we will in heaven (What Luther Says, p. 621). And then Christians can say with the 19th-century French novelist George Sand that “Work is not man’s punishment. It is his reward and his strength and his pleasure.” Working in God’s presence leads to a joyfulness that can bring to fruition in our lives famed historian Arnold Toynbee’s advice that we are wise to blur the line between work and play.
Mark E.
2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
Dennis Green was one of the first black head coaches in the NFL. Best remembered for leading the Minnesota Vikings to a consistent run of victories in the 1990s, Green said about being an African-American head coach: “I am a product of the civil rights movement and came along at a time when doors were opening.” Green went on to say, “I don’t think anybody considered me a black coach. I don’t think a player considered what my race is. I think he wants someone who will teach him something.”
Application: We are told in our reading how we are to be examples that others can imitate.
Ron L.
Luke 21:5-19
I ran across this unusual information recently. According to the most recent Secret Service data, there is nearly $9 million in counterfeit money circulating in the United States. With the rise of digital printing, it is getting easier and easier to produce counterfeit bills that will fool the average cashier or business owner -- not to mention most consumers. I did an internet search and discovered how the experts advise people to distinguish between what is counterfeit money and what is real. They tell people to examine very closely the genuine bills and note where the counterfeits come up short. Examine the real thing so you can tell what’s fake. I think that makes sense.
This passage records a conversation between Jesus and the disciples. There is a lot of talk about the end times and coming persecution. That’s what will get a lot of attention, and justifiably so. However, there are a few words that could get lost among some big issues. Jesus says, “Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them.” Jesus warns the apostles that many false prophets would come. They should not follow. The same advice is good for us too. How can you tell? I think the advice of the money experts might apply here. Know the genuine article so well that you can tell what’s fake. So how well do you know the real thing?
Bill T.
Luke 21:5-19
Have you ever testified in court? As a human resource professional (prior to becoming a pastor), I needed to testify when a terminated employee sued our organization. It was a nerve-racking experience. Even though I knew I had followed policies and procedures, even though I knew we lived in a right-to-work state, even though I was prepared to respond, I was still nervous and anxious. Courtrooms can be intimidating.
Jesus speaks about the challenges of standing before opponents, of speaking truth in situations where we are judged. Yet Jesus shares one more thing. Don’t worry about what you will say. I will give you the words when you need them. Unlike my courtroom experience where preparation was key, there have been other times when I knew the words I was speaking did not come from me -- they were God’s words. At the bedside of a dying congregant, at the moment before major surgery, at the first meeting with a grieving family, I am always uncertain what to say. So I pray that Jesus, that God will give me the words. God has never let me down. The words of comfort, of love, of compassion, or of challenge have never failed to come. That is the blessing of trusting God -- at least for me. I trust that through prayer and reflection, through study and meditation, through faith that God will help me to be the one I am called to be. Thanks be to God!
Bonnie B.
Luke 21:5-19
This sounds like the news on television -- all the tragedies Jesus mentions are happening almost every day in today’s world!
Certainly nations are rising up against nations, and there have been earthquakes (including in Nepal, where I served). Famines are happening all over the world, and there are many pestilences like Ebola and HIV, etc. We are always afraid of events such as terrorists on earth and rocks from heaven.
If that were not enough, Jesus warns of persecution. That was certainly true in Nepal, where it was only legal to be a Christian after 1992. And there was also persecution after that. In some Muslim countries you can lose your life for being a Christian. Even a member of a family who turned Christian could be killed by his own relatives! It was harder to be a Christian in Russia and China at one time.
The persecution we might feel in our country is from those who resent us showing our faith or our denomination openly. Some Roman Catholics felt it when they were supposed to pay for Obamacare items.
I can recall times when God put words into my mouth. When a dying soldier asked if God could ever forgive the sinful life he had lived, the words God gave me were the words of the thief on the cross who had no time to make up for his sins. That really touched the soldier and opened the door to many more encouraging words from the Lord.
It should give us comfort to know that God’s love will always be with us, in good times or bad!
Bob O.
Luke 21:5-19
We know Herod the Great as a bloodthirsty murderer, but he was admired in the Roman empire for the architectural wonders he commissioned. This scripture text begins as Jesus addresses those who admire Herod’s great Second Temple with its “beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God” (v. 5). The Temple was one of the great wonders of the ancient world, and the outer court was open to travelers of every nation -- although stones have been discovered warning: “No foreigner is to go beyond the balustrade and the plaza of the temple zone. Whoever is caught doing so will have himself to blame for his death, which will follow.”
Did you know that Herod the Great was not only admired for the buildings he erected, but also as the savior of the Olympics? The games had been going on for hundreds of years, but Greece was impoverished following its fall to the Romans. Herod, learning of dire condition of the facilities, made a huge grant of cash and in effect created a foundation that ensured the expenses for the resumption of the games would be paid, starting in 12 BC. He was named “President of the Olympics,” an office created just for him, in which he served for life.
Frank R.
