In 1521, Martin Luther dared to defy the Roman Catholic Church by nailing his 95 Theses to the church door in Wittenberg. He was later put on trial for his statements and beliefs. Here is how he concluded his defense:
“Unless I am convinced by scripture and plain reason – I do not accept the authority of popes in councils, since it is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves – I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise. May God help me.”
Luther took a stand against the most powerful institution of his time in the Catholic Church. We see this same kind of courage and resolve in Esther, as she prepares to stand before the most powerful man in Persia.
Check out this message as we look at chapter 5 in the book of Esther.
