In Common Language

The Wartburg, Eisenach, Germany

This is the room of Knight George, or so Luther was known at the Wartburg when he was protected by the Elector of Saxony from May of 1521 to March of 1522. He dressed as a knight. He was taught the ways of knight.  He even grew a beard as seen in the Lucas Cranach painting on the wall..  

However, what happened in this room over eleven weeks of that stay changed the lives of thousands of people not because he pretended to be a knight but because he he put his skills to work.

At a table much like this one Luther translated the Greek New Testament into common German, opening the way for anyone to know the word of God.

"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 New International Version

Imagine what Luther's work meant for the people of Germany. For the first time people realized that God spoke their language. God would not be seen as far removed from the merchant and peasant, but near. The Bible would not be locked up in the cathedrals of Europe, but make its way into homes.

Today we not only have one English translation of the Bible but many...and we take it for granted. The Bible is a table decoration, a bookend or a dusty old gift given to us by our parents.

The word of God is still "alive and active."  It reveals God's love for us in the gift of Jesus. May we hear afresh the message of this love in our common language.

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(Click on picture to enlarge.)

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