And Though This World With Devils Filled

 When Martin Luther wrote the words, “And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us . . .” he knew what he was talking about.  If the backlash from the Reformation was not enough, a global Pandemic was wrecking havoc in Luther’s world.  

 

The “Black Plague” that seized Europe in medieval times was much more deadly than the Coronavirus.  It is estimated to have killed up to 60% of Europe’s population.  The worst of the plague was in the fourteenth century but it continued to reappear for a long time, including the summer of 1527 when it swept into Martin Luther’s home of Wittenberg.  

 

At the time, Europe was deeply divided (we would say “polarized”) by the events of the Reformation.  Perceptions of the deadly disease were filtered through layers of mistrust rooted in religious difference.  Even though the disease was no respecter of religion, the Protestants regarded the plague as God’s judgment on the Catholics and the Catholics accused the Protestants of weakening the unity of Christendom in a time of crisis.  How one interpreted the plague was determined by their religious views.

 

While the Coronavirus is no respecter of religion or politics, perceptions of the COVID disease are filtered through layers of mistrust rooted in political difference.  Martin Luther had no patience for such misplaced logic or those who took no personal responsibility for their own reckless behavior.  He said people who downplayed the disease were not trusting God; in fact, they were tempting Him.

 

They are much too rash and reckless, tempting God and disregarding everything which might counteract death and the plague. They disdain the use of medicines; they do not avoid places and persons infected by the plague, but lightheartedly make sport of it and wish to prove how independent they are. They say that it is God’s punishment; if he wants to protect them he can do so without medicines or our carefulness. That is not trusting God but tempting him. . . .

 

Luther thought it was our Christian duty to follow every safety precaution “in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance infect and pollute others, and so cause their death as a result of my negligence.”

 

The words of the powerful hymn of the Reformation, “A Mighty Fortress is My God,” take on new meaning when we realize that when Luther wrote of “the flood of mortal ills prevailing,” he was referring to a Global Pandemic.  

 

It is true that everyone is growing weary of the virus, it is called “COVID fatigue.” Unfortunately, being tired of the virus doesn’t change the facts—The number of people in our country who have died in the virus would be the equivalent of over 1,000 Boeing-737 jets crashing.  North Carolina and Davidson County numbers are alarming.  We may be tired of the virus, but it is not tired of us.  

 

The writer of Hebrews encourages us to “run with perseverance” the race that is set before us.  (Hebrews 12: 1)   We are in a race and we cannot sprint to the finish, we must pace ourselves, running with perseverance, keeping the faith, holding on to our foundation.   

 

Just as Luther was frustrated by those who were careless, so are we.  But we need to set the example---don’t go out without a MASK.  Keep your distance—six feet minimum, more is better.  And keep hand sanitizer and wipes close by.