I’ve never written a book review before (other than as homework for homeschool days!), but I recently read Kathy Lee’s A Captive In Rome and was blown away. I don’t know if you reading this are in a season of life in which you are searching for edifying things for you and your family to do, but, if you are this review is for you!

For many years now, Elizabeth has tried to get me to read it, saying that it’s her all-time favourite book, but I just never gave it the time. I expected it to be a sweet child fiction, and knew that it was about First Century Christians, but it didn’t really capture my attention. However, Elizabeth finally convinced me into reading it with her and a friend a couple of weeks ago; and, goodness, am I glad she did.

The basic plot is about a young British Celt named Bryn whom is taken captive by Romans and sold into slavery in Rome. For the duration of the book, Bryn spends most of his time trying to find freedom and return to his beloved Britian. However, at the house in which he is a slave lives a Christian slave, Tiro. Bryn soon finds himself drawn to this caring, thoughtful man, and, despite his hate for Rome and desperation to go home, he forms a deep father-son like bond with him. Tiro teaches Bryn many things about the Jesus he serves, and Bryn repeatedly finds himself wanting to know this foreign God whom Tiro calls ‘Father’.

The book leads you through many of Bryn’s personal struggles and tribulations and (*spoilers coming*) ends with one of the most striking parallels of redemption that I’ve ever read outside of God’s Word. After various grievous and painful experiences, Bryn finally receives the freedom that he long hoped for. However, instead of using his freedom to fulfil his own desires, he chooses to use his freedom to serve his beloved Tiro and declares, “Everything I have is yours.”

Goodness, at this point in the book I was nearly bawling. It is so beautiful. The striking parallels that the story paints of sacrifice, redemption and freedom are stunning. Galatians 5:13 comes to mind, “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” This is the greatest picture of freedom I can imagine. Jesus, who is our King and Lord, as the Lead Servant. He has shown us that true freedom looks like endless serving.

I love that Bryn finds his true freedom, not in the absence of a life of slavery, but in a life devoted to Christ that is lived out by service to others. In the end, Bryn becomes on the one hand more of a slave than he ever was: not only in working for his master, but in doing and giving everything for a friend; and, on the other more free than he could have ever imagined.

This really is my story, and is every Christian’s story, that as we die to oursleves and our own desires, Jesus comes and burns in us a passion to love and serve Him and from there to love and serve others with abandon.

So, in conclusion, I loved this book, and I look forward to reading its sequels with Lizzie. It’s such a treasure to find children’s books with such depth and revelation. There are many other treasures of revelation to be pulled out of this book, and I’m finally beginning to understand why Lizzie holds this book so dear. I unreservedly encourage you to find and read this book! Both personally and with your children or family. It is absolutely beautiful.

“For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more”
I Corinthians 9:19 NKJV

“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
I Peter 4:10 NKJV”

“Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Matthew 20:28 NKJV