March 1, 2024

Gospel of Matthew 24, 35

Jesus Christ says: Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Dear Readers,

In 1521, Martin Luther stood in front of the most powerful man in the world at this time. Luther, an insignificant monk, had to defend his responsibility for his writings in front of the emperor in Worms. The “Deutsche Bundespost”  stamp which I am showing you today commemorates this Imperial Diet (text: "Luther before Charles V, Worms 1521").

Martin Luther wanted to reform his own Roman Catholic Church and relied on the authority of the Bible. Holy Scripture was the measure of all things. And everyone should be entitled  to read the word of God. He therefore later translated the New Testament into the German language.

Emperor Charles V ruled in Europe. His influence however reached as far as the Latin American colonies, which he exploited. Emperor Charles V is said to have said: "The sun never sets in my empire.”

The Reformation that Martin Luther had started did not fade away. Not even the most powerful man in the world at the time and age was able to stop it.  Luther translated the Latin Bible into German language and consequently God´s word began to spread all over Europe, like a light source.

Many Christians read the so-called “Luther Bible” until today. I still have an old version of the “Luther Bible” in my possession.  It was printed in German language by the "American Bible Society New York" and brought over to Germany after World War II. It was my very first Bible. I am still very grateful for these first words of God in my life!

The Lutheran World Federation writes on its homepage: "The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is a worldwide fellowship of Lutheran churches. It was founded in 1947 and now has 149 member churches in 99 countries around the world, with a total of over 77.8 million Christians." Both, Martin Luther and Emperor Charles V would be amazed even today about these statistics!

Emperor Charles V and his “solar empire” do no longer exist today. Only historians and students in history lessons still show an interest in him. However God's word is still alive today and speaks into the hearts of people all over the world. What the Lord Jesus Christ tells us in the Gospel is everlasting. His gospel still shines like the sun today and touches our hearts with his love, his mercy, and his faithfulness.

Just like 500 years ago, powerful people rule in parts of the world today. They move borders and try to build their "empires of the sun" with their politics. What will last of them?

Jesus Christ says in the Gospel of John, 8, 12: ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’

Those who follow Jesus Christ live every day in his "kingdom of the sun". For them, the sun of God's love will never set. He remains in God and God in him (see also the Gospel of John 15:5).

Thank you very much for listening to me. May God's love flood like the sun through your everyday life. I cordially invite you to the next devotion with stamps on March 15. Until then, I wish you God's blessing and protection in spirit, soul, and body through our Lord Jesus Christ.