This is the anniversary of Luther's death; for on this day, in the year 1546, Luther died at Eisleben, his birthplace, at the age of sixty-two years. The papists and other enemies of the pure Gospel still hate the great Reformer's name and work. We, however, by the grace of God, glory in his Reformation and are not ashamed to be called after his name. For what is the meaning of the term Lutheran? And what is its history?

Luther desired no honor for himself. When Romanists began to call the followers of the restored Gospel "Lutherans," the Reformer wrote (in 1522):

"I ask that people would not mention my name and not call themselves Lutherans but Christians. What is Luther? I am sure the doctrine which I preach is not mine. Nor was I crucified for anyone... I am not, and do not want to be, any man's master. Together with the church I have the one universal doctrine of Christ, who alone is our Master."

Luther then holds up to them these words of Paul to Timothy and shows them how Timothy would have been ashamed of the Gospel if he had been ashamed to own Paul as his teacher. Paul was in prison for the Gospel's sake, which he had preached so faithfully. And Christ says of His messengers: "He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me." [Luke 10:16] To be a "Lutheran" means to be a Christian who, like Luther, in the power of God, abides by every clear word of Scripture. We cannot be ashamed of the name Lutheran, unless we want to be ashamed of the Word of God. We bear the shame of Christ's Gospel by being called Lutherans, but that is honor and glory.

[devotion text by Rev. F. W. Herzberger (1920) -
from the Family Altar - CPH (1957 edition)]
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