The First One on the Wall

“For by you I can run against a troop, by my God I can leap over a wall.” – Psalms 18:29.
In the days of the Roman empire, there was a reward that soldiers sought even at the great risk of losing their life for it. This reward is called the “corona muralis”. This reward was a golden crown/circle that looked like a wall. For a soldier to obtain this reward, they would have to climb a siege ladder and be the first one on the wall. This position is the front of the frontlines and usually means certain death. However, in some cases, the soldier survives and is rewarded for this. So, why then is this reward so sought after even to death? It is because of what it brought to these soldiers. They were rewarded with promotions and honor regardless of which family they came from or their background. This reward recognized the soldier regardless of all that. These people who no one cared about and had no chance for promotions wanted this reward because it guaranteed promotion and success. It was hope to them and their future. In fact, one Roman centurion was awarded the corona muralis and it significantly increased the status of his family line in which one of his future descendants became the consul, the highest ranking possible. Now the question that remains is how does this apply to our lives? Let’s look at what Paul says.
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” – 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.
The corona muralis was shaped like a crown, and the reward Paul is referring to in his analogy is a crown as well. Our reward is greater than a crown and it isn’t comparable to any crown we could ever earn. Therefore, that imperishable crown represents our true reward: eternity with Jesus. Nothing greater is there than to dwell with Jesus forever in relationship with Him. It is why we fight the good fight and run the good race. It is why we are willing to lose our lives here and gain our lives with Him. So, when Paul says to run the race as if only one gets the reward, then we ought to fight the good fight, being the first one on the wall facing our enemy. The Roman soldiers fought for the corona muralis reward as there was only one issued for that siege, not half-heartedly but wholeheartedly. Now then, the reward was never to do with anything about the crown itself but what the crown signified. It brought those Roman soldiers status and honor beyond measure. Their hope for their future was that promotion and rank of status. However, our hope and future is in Jesus and our reward of eternity with Him fulfills that hope and dream. Therefore, we are soldiers for Him during this time, and just as it is a soldier’s goal to capture the fortress they are sieging for the kingdom he serves, it is our goal as soldiers for Christ to fight for the Kingdom of God capturing what has been lost, fighting for the harvest that remains ready, and executing the will of our King, Jesus. This reward of eternity with Jesus we are fighting for isn’t just a reward for just ourselves but also a reward we want others to have as well. That is why we are on assignment to expand the Kingdom of God capturing those lost places and helping the lost people who need Jesus. So overall, to be the first on the wall is a heart position that requires you to be willing to give everything to the Lord including your own life. It is a heart position that chooses not complacency nor procrastination but to charge to the front so that you may be the first one on the wall. In those moments, those soldiers use every bit of energy and strength they have as if it were the last few breaths they would take. Fight for the Kingdom of God in such way.
“For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” – Matthew 16:25.