October 29, 2021

Thus says the LORD God: “Behold, I am against your magic charms by which you hunt souls there like birds. I will tear them from your arms, and let the souls go, the souls you hunt like birds. I will also tear off your veils and deliver My people out of your hand, and they shall no longer be as prey in your hand. Then you shall know that I am the LORD. Because with lies you have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and you have strengthened the hands of the wicked, so that he does not turn from his wicked way to save his life.”  Ezekiel 13:20-22

Zwingli’s preaching awakened great interest in the Gospel message throughout Switzerland. People flocked to hear him speak, and he never failed to highlight the Word of God as the only infallible authority. “It is to Christ that I desire to lead you—to Christ, the only true source of salvation.” All classes were represented among his hearers: statesmen, scholars, artisans, and peasants.

Of course, in the background, the opposition was busy. The monks condemned his teachings and set about to hinder the work. Zwingli endured daily sneers, gibes, and threats. And as the light of the “gospel of forgiveness through the blood that Jesus freely shed” was spreading beyond the Swiss borders, Rome doubled down on the sale of pardons for money. Also, she secured the cooperation from residents in the papal cantons around Switzerland to identify those who followed the gospel message. Regular examples were made of them as they were publicly burned at the stake. All classes of people were included as examples.

A secret plan was made to silence Zwingli himself. He was invited to a debate at Baden. The church council of Zurich suspected what Rome was up to and forbade their beloved pastor to attend. More on this tomorrow…

By contrast, God’s Plan to redeem us predated our existence. He has lovingly unfolded this plan to His people through the ages. He corrects us, gently and sometimes quite sternly (this is also love!) to guide each of us to make wise choices in both large and small matters. Yes, He addresses the objects of His love corporately, but the individuals who decide to seek after God are divinely aided. Thus, we revisit a phrase from the above passage:

“I will tear them from your arms.” Ezekiel 13:20