November 10, 2021

Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.”  Luke 19:41-42

Jesus beheld Jerusalem and lamented over the city’s rejection of truth which had caused spiritual blindness to come upon them. Even so, mercy lingered for nearly an entire generation before the fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy that not one stone shall be left upon another (see Matthew 24:2, Luke 19:43-44). The pagan Romans, in 70AD, did exactly what Jesus had described. Fortunately, because the Christians were obedient to His instructions, not a single Christian lost his life.

God’s message had come to France through Jacques Lefevre, William Farel, and Louis de Berquin—and had been rejected. But, in keeping with the longsuffering character of God, another invitation to the gospel came. John Calvin set about his work quietly, outside of Paris, under the protection of the princess Margaret, sister of Francis I. She had high hopes that France, as a whole, would be won to the gospel. Calvin went from house to house, teaching the Word of Christ, the testimony of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8). Some houses were castles, and some were cabins. But he was received with great favor and many hearts were won for the Lord! Soon Calvin was back in Paris. He continued his teaching from house to house. At one point, while the king was away, Margaret opened the palace for daily preaching at the same hour each day. Thousands from all classes would attend and listen. When the king returned, instead of forbidding the assemblies, he ordered two churches of Paris opened for Protestant preaching.

The church hierarchy were exceedingly displeased. Nevertheless, this continued for two years. Francis had taken his stand against the Romanists, not because he was a follower of the gospel, but for his own political purposes of making a show of tolerance. Even though the majority of the people rejected the gospel message, there were many who accepted it wholeheartedly.

And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women. Acts5:14