Today, October 16th, 1555, Bishop Hugh Latimer and Bishop Nicholas Ridley were burnt at the stake in Oxford, England.
Latimer was a renowned preacher throughout King Edward's reign, and he greatly encouraged the daily reading of God's Word by all people as well as the need for inward love and dedication to Christ rather than a merely outward show of religion. Ridley had been chaplain to King Henry VIII and bishop of London. He, too, was a beloved preacher with a tremendous love for God's Word, and he was known for fully and faithfully living out the truths of what he professed.
After King Henry VIII's death, his son, Edward, became king, and many of Edward's advisors (including Latimer and Ridley) encouraged him to move the English church away from the abuses of the Roman Catholic church at that time and instead to more toward true Bible-based Christianity. When Queen Mary ascended to the throne of England in 1553, however, she was determined to return England to the Roman Catholic Church and embarked upon a program of persecution that martyred at least 200 people. Two of the first men she arrested were Ridley and Latimer.
Both men refused to back down from their beliefs, their insistence in salvation by faith in Christ alone, and their insistence in the veracity and supremacy of God's Word.
As Latimer said, "Christ made one oblation and sacrifice for the sins of the whole world, and that a perfect sacrifice; neither needeth there to be, nor can there by, any other propitiatory sacrifice."
I couldn't help but think of Hebrews. Oh my, what a wonderful book we've been studying this year in Bible study! "But when Christ appeared as a high priest...He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of His won blood, thus securing an eternal redemption." (Heb.9:12) "But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until His enemies should be made a footstool for His feet. For by a single offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified." (Heb.10:12-14).
Bottom line--Christ has done it all...for all time...for good. When Jesus called out in His dying breath on the cross, "It is finished!" He meant He had dealt with, and defeated, all sin, for all time. Period. It. Is. Finished. For all His beloved children--those He has chosen and called and who come to Him by faith--the work of redemption is finished, complete, forever. God's Word tells us we are forgiven, redeemed, renewed. Oh might we live like it!
Ridley and Latimer knew that great truth--and all the glorious truths of God's Word--and they were willing to die for the truths of the Gospel. So over 450 years ago, on October 16th, they gave their lives for their Savior. As they were being tied to the stake, Ridley prayed, "Oh Heavenly Father, I give unto Thee most hearty thanks that Thou hast called me to be a professor of Thee, even unto death. I beseech Thee, Lord God, have mercy on this realm of England and deliver it from all her enemies."
As the flames quickly rose around them, Latimer exclaimed to Ridley, "Be of good comfort, Mr. Ridley, and play the man! We shall this day light such a candle by God's grace in England, as I trust shall never be put out."
And that flame still burns.
Just one small reminder of the terribly dear price that has been paid so that we might worship our Savior in spirit and in truth. Think of how many countless others have given their lives--and are giving their lives this very day--for the cause of Christ. Oh forgive us our shameful tendency to take our Bibles and our faith for granted.
Thank You, Father, for these godly and courageous men who gave their last full measure on this day so many years ago in order that we might freely and fully live out the truths of what we believe. Thank You for those who are doing so this very day and everyday. I think of those brave believers who this very hour face unimaginable horrors in places like Syria and Afghanistan. Give them Your peace, Your strength, Your love, and Your grace, Father, as they endure to their last breath...and open their eyes in glory.
As we sit in comfort and safety here in America, forgive our sinful complacency. Remind us daily, hourly, to pray for those struggling under horrific persecution. And help us to hold Your Word this day with hearts overflowing with gratitude and with a renewed wonder for it's supernatural power to change lives and destinies.
Lord, thank You for men and women willing to give their lives for You...help us to be willing to live ours for You, this day and everyday...and to be willing to be obedient unto death if You call us to do so. You are infinitely worthy.
Keep that flame burning, Father...in our hearts, in our nation, in our world. To God be the glory.
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