“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief» (l Timothy 1 : 15).
WHEN ERASMUS, one of the great scholars of the Renaissance, visited England in the early sixteenth century, he never imagined the contribution he would indirectly make to the cause of the Protestant Reformation. Much less did he imagine through whom that contribution would come.
Thomas Bilney, known among his close friends as «Little Bilney,» was a professor at Cambridge when Erasmus visited that house of learning. The impression Erasmus made on him was so profound that Bilney set out to acquire any work that came from the pen of the famous Dutch scholar. One such work was Erasmus; translation of the New Testament into Latin.
In the pages of that New Testament, Bilney found the light that until that moment had been denied him. Dissatisfied with his spiritual life, he had turned to the priests for help, only to hear that he had to fulfill certain penances to find the peace his soul longed for. Until one day, he read a passage that would forever change his life: «This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief’ (l Timothy 1:15).
«That single verse . . . » Bilney wrote, «raised my poor, downcast spirit in such a way that my bones within me jumped with joy and gladness. It was as if, after a long dark night, the light of a new day had burst.”
Just at that time, «Little Bilney» heard a fervent Catholic priest preach: Hugh Latimer. Bilney immediately saw a future gospel champion in him and set out to «win him» for Jesus Christ. Then he prayed, «Oh, God,» he said, «I am just «Little Bilney» and I will never do anything great for you, but touch this man’s heart, and how great will be the wonders he will do in Your name!»
One day, after hearing him preach, Bilney asked Latimer to please listen to his confession. Latimer agreed. Then Bilney read 1 Timothy 1:15 from the New Testament and told Latimer of his conversion. The effect was immediate. As had happened with Saul of Tarsus centuries earlier, it was as if Latimer’s eyes had suddenly been opened to the truth of the gospel. That day, one of the great leaders of the Reformation in England was born.
In 1531, «Little Bilney» died at the stake, followed by Latimer, years later, but the death of these two martyrs ignited a light in England that would never go out.
Lord, I know I do not have many talents, but I want to shine for You today. May Your light illumine the heart of someone who is in darkness.
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Taken from: Devotional Readings for Adults 2022
“GREAT IS OUR GOD!”
From: FERNANDO ZABALA
Collaborators: Xiomara Perdomo & Angelica Cuate
