Reconciliation and Yielding

     When two goats meet on a narrow bridge over deep water, what 

do they do?  The bridge is so narrow they can neither turn around 

nor pass each other.  If they fight, they may fall into the water and be 

drowned.

     They resolve the problem quite naturally.  One lies down and the 

other passes over.  Neither is injured.

     People can learn a similar tactic.  It is better to yield a little than to 

fall into raucous discord with others.  We turn too quickly to lawyers.  

When people desire to be reconciled and to reach an agreement, 

someone must yield, giving way to another.

     This is the way we were reconciled to God.  God waived his rights 

and controlled his wrath.  Christ mediated an agreement between us.  

Like all peacemakers, he suffered pain.  The one who separates two 

fighters receives the most blows.  For Christ, reconciliation led to the 

Cross where he died for us.

                                                                             Martin Luther, Table Talk

Who is Martin Luther?  Luther, November 10, 1483-February 18 1546, 

is principally remembered as the church reformer whose ideas 

initiated the Protestant Reformation.  Luther confronted many 

corruptions of the Catholic church of his era.  His theology challenged 

the authority of the papacy and many practices rooted in a works 

righteousness understanding of salvation.  Luther taught that salvation 

was a free gift of God received only through faith in Jesus Christ as 

our redeemer from sin.  Luther's influence shaped the course of 

Western civilization.

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