Lessons from the Scottish Reformation
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This week's devotions are written by my friend Jessica Hermann, former director of our college ministry at Great Hills Baptist Church.
- Pastor Danny
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A few months ago, I went on a trip to England, Scotland, and Ireland. It's one of those perks about living in Europe that you can so easily travel to many other countries. I flew to London quicker than I could drive from San Antonio to Austin! The whole trip was amazing, but one of my highlights was a special tour we took while in Edinburgh, Scotland. My two friends and I took a Scottish Reformation Tour with a local believer to learn about the Scottish Reformation history in Edinburgh. As a bit of a church history nerd, I was in heaven. But even if you're not a nerd like me, we learned such compelling and challenging stories on this tour that I very much wanted to share them with you. I pray that as you read this week's devotionals, your faith is encouraged and you are challenged to live with the kind of resolve and commitment to Jesus and to the truth of the Gospel that the reformers had.
Quick disclaimer: I am not a Scottish Reformation expert nor am I endorsing everything all the reformers did and said, but there is so much to learn from their example nonetheless.
The Scottish Reformation happened around the same time as the Protestant Reformation on the European Continent with more well-known figures like Martin Luther and John Calvin. The Scottish Reformation was in many ways inspired by and connected to the Protestant Reformation in Germany and Switzerland, and yet it was also in many ways independent. The most famous Scottish Reformer is probably John Knox, who was influenced by Calvin while in Switzerland before returning to Scotland.
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However, I was surprised to find John Knox's grave is in a parking lot on the right side of St. Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh, where Knox pastored. Every day, people who work in the court building next door park their vehicles in parking spot 23, over the grave of John Knox, and in other spaces over the graves of many others who were buried in this church cemetery-turned-parking-lot, though only Knox's grave is marked. Some local believers fought this and still desire for this site to be restored and for Knox's grave to be honored.
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(John Knox's grave marker in parking spot 23)
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While I absolutely see their point, part of me thinks Knox wouldn't have minded. He once said, "I sought neither preeminence, glory, nor riches; my honor was that Jesus Christ should reign."
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Knox was a fiery man who was not afraid of a fight, yet he has many quotes attributed to him that speak of His great reverence for the Word of God and his abounding confidence in the sovereignty and power of the Lord. Mary, Queen of Scots, with whom Knox was in constant opposition, once said, "I fear the prayers of John Knox more than all the assembled armies of Europe."
One of my favorite things that John Knox said is this: "A man with God is always in the majority."
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(My friends and me at St. Giles Cathedral)
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Knox is not proposing that, in actuality, most people are true followers of Jesus. Rather he knows that God's power is so great that no matter how outnumbered you may be, God is stronger.
Do you ever feel alone? Outnumbered? Like our sinful culture is taking new ground each day, and it's closing in? Fear not, for when you stand on God's side, you will always be victorious in the end. He is powerful beyond comparison, and His plans always come to pass.
This makes me think of 1 John 5:4-5: "For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God."
Do you stand on God's side? There is great encouragement and hope for you if you do. This promise can help you stand strong under even the darkest spiritual opposition. "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4). Our bodies may one day lay in the ground under a beautiful tombstone with fresh flowers on top, or they may instead lay under a parking lot, but either way, we will be victorious over the plot of Satan, because we will be found in Christ, and our eternity will be spent with Him.
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Let's Talk Story, Pt. 2
Everyone loves a good story! God has embedded within the human mind and heart enjoyment of great stories. Jesus knew the power of stories, sharing parables throughout his ministry. In this episode, Pastor Danny continues discussing Paul's account of his testimony before a very hostile crowd, what we can learn from it, and how we can be bolder and better about sharing our own testimony with others.
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