November 5: LEARNING FROM THE FATHER
“It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.” John 6:45
The 95 propositions of Luther attracted universal attention. Initially, Luther’s confidence in the brethren of the Church filled him with hopeful anticipation of a bright dawn on the immediate horizon. There were many devoted Catholics who had seen and lamented the horrendous iniquities swirling about Rome. They read, reread, and shared the propositions, rejoicing that the gracious hand of the Lord would now stem the swelling tide of corruption emanating from the seat of Rome. There was much secret rejoicing among princes and magistrates at the thought of a check being placed upon the arrogant power that denied all rights of appeal from its decrees. But any encouragements that Luther received from the few who were brave enough to openly express their joy, were soon buried under an avalanche of reproach and condemnation. Luther was cruelly misrepresented to the public by his enemies with malicious accusations against his character and motives.
The flood of opposition had an unfortunate and rapid silencing effect upon most of the church leaders who agreed with Luther. As he looked upon his actions, suddenly feeling very isolated, he doubted whether he had been led by God to challenge the mightiest earthly power. He sank into a state of despondency that lasted for two years. It was during that time that he learned the glorious lesson that only in looking to God alone would he find security, inner peace, and the necessary resolve to continue on the difficult path. In perfect safety, he leaned upon the all-powerful arm of the Lord. Human support can often fail, and this is exactly why we must pray for each other to find solace only in the Lord.
Luther wrote to a friend, saying “We cannot attain to the understanding of Scripture either by study or by the intellect. Your first duty is to begin by prayer. Entreat the Lord to grant you, of His great mercy, the true understanding of His word. There is no other interpreter of the word of God than the Author of this word, as He Himself has said, “They shall all be taught of God.”
If you are walking in the footsteps of Christ, your heavenly Father is calling you to present truths from His word that go against custom, tradition, and powerful religious leaders. Be aware that these truths will stir up the wrath of Satan and the enmity of men who love the fables that he has devised. Luther had learned to meet his enemies, as they appealed to established traditions and assertions of the pope, with simple Bible truths, against which they could find no argument. Enragement and much clamoring for his blood ensued, but time after time he was divinely protected from bodily harm. God had a work for him to do. However, many of those who joyfully received from Luther the precious Biblical light he preached became the objects of Satan’s wrath; for love of the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10), they fearlessly suffered torture and death.
“O you afflicted one, Tossed with tempest, and not comforted, Behold, I will lay your stones with colorful gems, And lay your foundations with sapphires. All your children shall be taught by the LORD, And great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:11,13 (see also Malachi 3:16-18)