The first stanza of Sunday’s hymn of the day, In the
Very Midst of Life (LSB 755), dates back to the ninth century. Luther altered
it somewhat and added two stanzas. It is one of the foremost hymns we have for
the dying. It strongly proclaims that by Jesus’ blood alone we have atonement
for sin and, consequently, refuge from sin and peace with God.
The midst of death. The midst of life. They are the same thing. They are the stuff of what it is to be alive
as God has given it. And as long as there is love, there is life. Death does not end love. It is all grace. “This grace was given to us in Christ
Jesus before the ages began, but it has now been revealed through the appearing
of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and
immortality to light through the gospel.” (2 Timothy 1:9b-10).
Martin Luther, born at
Eisleben, November 10, 1483; entered the University of Erfurt, 1501 (B.A. 1502,
M.A.. 1503); became an Augustinian monk, 1505; ordained priest, 1507; appointed
Professor at the University of Wittenberg, 1508, and in 1512 D.D.; published
his 95 Theses, 1517; and burnt the Papal Bull which had condemned them, 1520;
attended the Diet of Worms, 1521; translated the Bible into German, 1521-34;
and died at Eisleben, February 18, 1546. The details of his life and of his
work as a reformer are accessible to English readers in a great variety of
forms. Luther had a huge influence on German hymnody.[2]
[1] Luther’s Seal copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
[3] Collect for Pentecost 5, Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House. St. Louis,
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