It was on this day in 49 B.C. that Julius Caesar and his XIII legion crossed Rubicon River, an act of insurrection that initiated the Roman Civil War. Caesar had concluded his governorship in Gaul, and was returning to Rome. The Rubicon River marked the northeastern boundary between Cisalpine Gaul and Italy. It was illegal for a general to come into Italy with his army. Caesar's act forced the Roman consuls and many members of the Roman Senate to seek safety outside the city. Caesar would eventually become "dictator for life" as a result of these actions.
Caesar is reported to have said "alea iacta est " (the die is cast) at the time of his crossing. He recognized that, having crossed the river illegally, that there was no retracting his action. Thus, "crossing the Rubicon" is idiomatic for passing a point of no return.
My late grandfather was a gospel singer. One of his favorites was "I Have Decided (To Follow Jesus)" which was written about 150 years ago by Simon Marak. With some variations, the lyric is:
I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus
No turning back, no turning back
Though none go with me, I still will follow
Though none go with me, I still will follow
Though none go with me, I still will follow
No turning back, no turning back
My cross I'll carry, till I see Jesus
My cross I'll carry till I see Jesus
My cross I'll carry till I see Jesus
No turning back, no turning back
The world behind me, the cross before me
The world behind me, the cross before me
The world behind me, the cross before me
No turning back, no turning back
This is a gospel song of conviction. It is not a sweeping theological statement that covers the entirety of the faith. I understand that the world has a lot of what we might call "backsliders." But for this writer, for this singer, coming to faith is a crossing of the Rubicon. For all its consequences, the writer himself has charted his course. And there's no turning back.
The peace of the Lord be with you.
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