When Martin Luther became a priest and celebrated his first Mass, in 1507, he trembled so much he nearly dropped the bread and cup. He became so terrified of the presence of Christ that he wanted to run from the altar. Yet that same fear of the holy, led him to be obedient to Christ and His Word above the rules and regulations of the church. Even when facing severe punishment by the church and the empire for the things he had written, Luther stood bold and said, “I am mastered by the passages of scripture I have quoted, and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recent . . . . I can do no other. Here I take my stand, God being my helper. Amen.”
