Rags to Riches
Oil on canvas 4' x 5'
In 1528 God brought Martin Zehentmayer to Schwabisch-Gmund, a town in the Swabian Alps. He was an artist, a poet, a songwriter, and a charismatic ambassador for Jesus. Previous to his arrival, his passionate pursuit of God had gotten him expelled from the Bavarian city of Augsburg.
In this new town Martin soon had quite a following, mainly of young people eager for the truth. He discipled many, hungry as they were for more than the lifeless formalities of the established religion of the region. Soon he had baptized over 100 new believers and was celebrating Holy Communion with them in their homes. But this growing following, Martin's outspoken desire to follow and live like Christ, and his conviction to hold with other believers all his possessions in common, soon led to a sudden arrest of Martin and forty or so followers in February.
An interrogation followed, wherein it was decided that most of the forty were harmless and would be let go. But Martin and 6 others of the most outspoken of the group were imprisoned in the city tower and put on bread and water until they would recant. Among the seven prisoners, one was a woman and one was the young son of the town miller. From February until December they remained held in a prison tower, sustained by only bread and water, while their enemies waited for them to break; but they held unswerving. Then on December 4, 1528, Martin and the six others were brought out from the prison for a public trial, where their steadfast faith–seen by the council as obstinacy and stubbornness–earned them a conviction of heresy and a sentence of death. 3 days later, they were led in chains to the fields below the town for execution. They were escorted to their deaths by a large crowd of nobleman, lords and judges on horseback, with many of the townspeople following on foot behind. At the center of the crowd was a contingent of soldiers of the Swabian League, forming a circle around the convicts, the prison guards and the executioners. A drummer pounded out the beat as the procession marched out onto the frozen December fields. Suddenly, from the somber procession rose the sound of a preacher, calling people to repentance. But the voice heard above the sound of the drums was not the voice of Martin, nor any other of the adults: it was the voice of the young son of the miller. I take up the actual account now, quoting from pages 42-43 of The Secret of the Strength by Peter Hoover: “The youngest of the seven, the miller's son, was shouting something. His voice above the sound of the drums was clear, and many could understand what he said: 'Stand off from your sins! Turn to God! There is no other way to heaven than through the Lord Jesus Christ who died on the cross to redeem us!' "Some women in the crowd shouted back: 'Keep up your courage, young man! Be strong!' "This was all too much for one of the mounted nobleman. He could not bear to see the young man killed. Demanding permission, he rode into the ring to speak with the boy. " 'My son,' he said, 'stand off yourself from the error you are in, and make things right! Do not lose your young life! What do you think you will have for it? I will take you home and keep you with me. I will give you a permanent inheritance as my own son and see to your needs for life. You will have many good things. Now come! Come with me and be my son!' "But the young man answered him distinctly: 'God does not want me to do that! Should I choose a worldly life and forsake God? I would do evil by making such a choice, and I will not do it. Your wealth can help neither you nor me! I choose greater riches and commend myself to Christ so that his bitter suffering on the cross will not have been in vain for me.' "They beheaded the seven on the bare frozen field. It was December 7, 1528, and great fear came upon the people.” |
Of the many things this story speaks to me, I believe it shouts an inspiration both to the youth, and from the youth. This is a powerful word spoken from a young man, a powerful witness from such a young life. It says to me that you don’t have to be the oldest in order to have something important to say and have the testimony of your life speak for 500 years.
This story also cries out that if you have, by God's choice and appointment, a calling on your life and Spirit-given gifts to carry that calling out, don’t wait for the ideal situation to put your gifts to use! I wonder if this young man had earlier felt a call on his life, perhaps a dream to grow up and be like the missionary preacher, Martin, who had led him to Christ; and suddenly, marching to his death, the boy figured out that if he was ever going to preach, he better get on with it! Let us as well take his example to heart. Let us not wait for the perfect opportunity. Ask God to use you as soon as possible, as soon as He sees fit! Let no man despise your youth or your old age, or whatever stands between you and an absolutely passionate, timely response to the grace of God in your life. Redeem the time: for the days are indeed evil.
This story also cries out that if you have, by God's choice and appointment, a calling on your life and Spirit-given gifts to carry that calling out, don’t wait for the ideal situation to put your gifts to use! I wonder if this young man had earlier felt a call on his life, perhaps a dream to grow up and be like the missionary preacher, Martin, who had led him to Christ; and suddenly, marching to his death, the boy figured out that if he was ever going to preach, he better get on with it! Let us as well take his example to heart. Let us not wait for the perfect opportunity. Ask God to use you as soon as possible, as soon as He sees fit! Let no man despise your youth or your old age, or whatever stands between you and an absolutely passionate, timely response to the grace of God in your life. Redeem the time: for the days are indeed evil.
Peculiar Graces: Rags to Riches. There was a peculiar grace to endure 10 months in prison. I understand that this group also wrote hymns during these 10 months, so there was a grace to be fruitful while being oppressed. For the young boy of the miller: What a beautiful grace of spiritual clarity in vision to understand where true wealth is — in the spirit: in the heart — and for eternity in union with Christ. Also, the gift of evangelism, in making last words and final breaths worthy for eternity.