In reference to "the [vine brought out] of Egypt" (Psalm 80:8), Pope Leo X said of Luther, "the boar from the forest ravages it" (Psalm 80:13). The pope was claiming that Luther's heresies were ravaging and devastating the good fruit being produced by the church. The bull (an official document) that we referred to last week demanded that Luther report to Rome in person and recant all that he had said against the pope and the church. He was given (60) days.
Remember, this all started, not with Martin Luther attempting to spark a reformation, but with Luther simply requesting open discussion about some of the practices of the Catholic Church that he had come to believe were contrary to Scripture. This escalation of events has come from the side of the church. Luther had no specific plan or strategy to reform the church, nor did he originally intend to break away from the church. He simply had strong convictions and, once pressed on them, stood firmly. It seems that he entered this ordeal somewhat naively, but that his convictions grew significantly as he was forced to defend himself.
The papal bull held significant weight in that the pope and the church held the authority to ruin or even end people's lives. Luther was facing excommunication and possibly even more very dire consequences should he choose not to recant his heretical positions. So, what did he do? Martin Luther started a fire. Literally.
In this fire, he openly burned theology books and books regarding papal law. He even burned books by Johann Eck (Remember him? He was Luther's debate opponent at Leipzig.). But the most significant thing that he burned that day was not a book, but a bull. No, he wasn't offering a blood sacrifice on an altar, he set fire to the bull that he received from the pope. This was a public display of defiance against the anti-biblical doctrines of the church and its idolatrous authority, the pope.
I'm sure you can imagine how well that went over amongst the powers that be. They didn't let it slide. Next week, we'll see what they decided to do about it.
Consider Jesus' message to His disciples as he warned them and sent them out - “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you..." (Matthew 10:16-20)
The promise of God to the disciples was that He would provide the words if they would simply trust Him and exercise their faith. His promise to them proved to be true. And, it seems, that Luther is going to take his stand on this as well. Luther was not personally equipped to be victorious in the overwhelming battle he faced, but God was more than equipped.
Not only did God do the fighting for His disciples, but God will do the fighting for us as well! The only question that remains is, "Do you and I possess the faith to trust Him?"
May our prayer be, Lord "I believe; help my unbelief." (Mark 9:24)
Pastor Jeremy
