Leading up to the legal acceptance of Christianity by Constantine in 312 was a period of intense persecution. Not only were Christians killed, but many were horribly tortured and survived. God used the persecutions of the church for good in many ways, but there was clearly a sense of relief, celebration and joy when the persecution was not only over, but the government officially accepted Christianity.
Very quickly, the government went from persecuting Christians to financially and otherwise supporting the church. As often happens when the power of government mixes with religion, some church leaders got caught up in pomp and circumstance and politics. Others reacted to this new experience of government support of the church by withdrawing in fear that this was Satan encroaching on the church. Monasticism developed from this fear. Many monastics simply lived by themselves or in small communities. This is a story about a church leader who ministered in the cities, but with a monastic attitude, and in the process helped keep the church closer to the Christ-like ideal.
In 335 A.D., Martin (of Tours) was born to pagan parents, but was drawn to Jesus Christ in his late teens. Martin was forced to enter the army by his father, who hoped that the military would crush faith out of him. Instead, he became a godly influence in the army. Without knowing it, we all celebrate Martin every time we use the words, “chapel” and “chaplain.” While Martin was in the army, he came across a naked, shivering beggar. At a time when soldiers were not known for compassion, Martin tore his own soldier’s cape in half and wrapped it around the beggar, quoting Jesus’ words: “As you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”
Martin’s act of compassion and his humble, godly spirit, made a huge impact on the people around him. This story spread and people were drawn to imitate Martin’s submission to Christ. Eventually, a small church hung up a torn cloth that they said was Martin’s torn cape. The Latin word for cape – capella – came to be our word, chapel, in recognition of the size of the church where Martin’s cape was displayed. A “chaplain” became someone who served in that church. Thus, in using these words, we remind ourselves of Martin of Tours.
What moves me the most, however, about Martin, was his ability to minister in truth and grace and power, with godly humility and surrender, despite his popularity. Everyone loved Martin. He was generous and kind and faithful and gracious. He always found a way to help others. He lived poorly and humbly, often not caring about his poor dress and disheveled look. This was a huge contrast to the church leaders around him. Martin was eventually elected to be Bishop of Tours, but he continued to live by monastic values. God used him to do miraculous things and to bring great blessing to his region, “but he always refused to count himself as anything more than an apprentice in the Christian life.” (Gonzalez, The Story of Christianity, Vol. 1, p. 148.)
That last statement, about being nothing more than an apprentice in the Christian life, really got to me. For those of us who study and teach and are building our knowledge, there is a strong pull of self-righteousness, toward believing that we are doing pretty good. Comparison is always with those around us instead of with Christ. By Christ’s standard, we are always nothing more than an apprentice, a workman who is continuing to learn the trade of the master. There is nothing in us that is worthy apart from the presence of Jesus Christ. He alone is to be a our everlasting preoccupation and passion. May you and I become better apprentices of our Lord and Savior, forsaking anything that interferes with that holy calling.
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