Dealing with the Devil

The Wartburg, Eisenach, Germany

Okay, so one more shot at the Lutherstube, the Luther Room, at the Wartburg. I know this picture looks much like yesterdays except for one important detail and it isn't the green stove. Notice the difference in the wall. There is wood paneling to the left but only plaster to the right. Legend has it that Luther threw an ink well at the devil where the plaster exists.

I know that I'm going to burst some bubbles out there, but according to Schwiebert in his book, Luther and His Times, Luther never threw the ink well. Luther never wrote about it, nor is it mentioned in his Table Talks. It was probably the creation of a biographer by the name of Ratzeberger.

However, the legend lives.  Pilgrims to the Wartburg have for years ripped away the plaster where there was an ink spot, only to have someone replace the ink spot.

"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8 New International Version

Some Christians say there is no such thing as the devil or demons, yet there are many in an unbelieving world who believe in them.

The call of Peter is not to be afraid of the devil but to be alert to his presence and his purpose. The devil has only one desire: that you and I reject the person and work of Jesus Christ. He doesn't care if we believe in him, all he cares about is that we stop believing in Jesus.

Maybe it's not a bad thing to throw ink at the devil in Jesus name.

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(Click on picture to enlarge.)

Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2013 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR.