Reading the Word of God with Luther

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  John 8:31-32

On the evening of May 4, 1521, Martin Luther was taken to the Wartburg Castle following the Diet of Worms and his famous speech before Emperor Charles V, wherein he refused to recant.  Before returning to Wittenberg in March 1522, Luther translated the New Testament into German over the course of 13 weeks.  The significance of this contribution of Luther cannot be overstated.  Luther thus provides access to God’s Word to everyone.  Luther’s emphasis on Scripture alone, affirmed at the Diet of Worms, is lived out as Christians hold the Word of God sacred and gladly hear and learn in it in their daily lives.

Lutheran Christians put Luther’s theology into practice in their daily reading of God’s Word.  The Gospel reading for Reformation Day is Jesus’ description of disciples being those who hold to His teaching.  Our prayer is that all of God’s people, young and old alike, are growing as our Lord’s disciples through the daily study of God’s Word.  For by the Word of God, the Holy Spirit helps us to grow in faith toward God and in love for our neighbor.  Disciples growing in God’s Word and serving in their daily callings is how our Lord serves the world through us.

Years ago, my father found a daily devotional book called Luther for the Busy Man.  It contained daily devotions gleaned from the writings of Martin Luther.  He would regularly find used copies online and get them to give to fellow church members.  It has now been reprinted and is a good source to be daily in the Word of God (with the assistance of Dr. Luther).  Personally, I use Reading the Psalms with Luther (available from Concordia Publishing House) as part of my daily devotions and reading of Scripture.  There are many things that vie for your time on a daily basis.  May you be growing as disciples of Christ through time in God’s Word each day.  May we learn from Luther to hold God’s Word sacred and gladly hear and learn it!

Prayer -  Blessed Lord, You have caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning.  Grant that we may so hear them, read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them that, by patience and comfort of Your holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen. 

Fraternally in Christ,
President Lee Hagan