Ulrich Zwingli

Around the same time that Luther was born in a miner's cabin up in Germany, Zwingli was born here in Switzerland, in a herdsman cottage high up in the Alps. You see, the leading reformers of that time were men of humble rank, who most of all were free from pride of rank and from the influence of bigotry and priesthood. His father desired for him an education, and at the age of 13, he was sent to the city of Bern to receive one. But whilst he was there, another danger would arise. Because of his intellect, his sharp mind, and his leadership qualities, the monks desired to recruit him. While Luther had gone down that path, he had no desire to go down that path. Neither did his father. And so his father called for him to return home.

Zwingli started his ministry in Basel and was ministering around the same time as Luther was. Though they were not in communication with each other, God was using each of them individually. If Luther preaches Christ, said the Swiss Reformer, he does what I am doing. Those whom he has brought to Christ are more numerous than those whom I have led. But this matters not. I bear no other name than that of Christ, whose soldier I am and who alone is my chief. Never has one single word been written by me to Luther, nor by Luther to me. And why? That it might be shown how much the Spirit of God is in unison with itself, since both of us, without any collusion, teach the doctrine of Christ with such uniformity.

Zwingli was soon called to minister here in Zurich at the cathedral, where he faithfully preached God's Word, repelled the sale of indulgences, and spearheaded the Swiss Reformation. In the early 16th century, the church of Rome made several attempts to either end his life or oppose his teachings. When hearing of one particular plot, he replied, let them come on. I fear them as a beetling cliff fears the waves that thunder at its feet. Realizing how little had been gained by trying to suppress Luther's teachings over in Germany, they endeavored to enter into a disputation with Zwingli. The Council of Zurich, though, forbade him to go, and so instead, two of his students went in his place. There they met a host of prelates, doctors, and the champion of Rome, Dr. Eck. Each night, though, Zwingli's students would sit letters from the city out, and then at night, Zwingli would write letters that would be snuck back into the city. And though he wasn't there, he was able to direct the proceedings that took place. He famously said during that trial, custom has no force in our Switzerland, unless it be according to the Constitution. Now, in matters of faith, the Bible is our constitution.

The contrast between the two sides made a clear impression on those who were watching at the time. Zwingli continued to faithfully preach God's word here in Zurich, Switzerland, throughout the rest of his life. God had chosen a humble man from humble origins to begin what would be a great work here in Switzerland.

No matter who you are or where you come from, know that God is able to do great things through you. Whether your beginnings in life have been humble and modest, know God is able to use you mightily. Whether you are educated or uneducated, know that God is able to use you here in Switzerland. Zwingli was a man of very humble background, being born in a herdsman cotton up in the Alps. And yet he was used to start a mighty work of reformation here in Switzerland. In Second Corinthians 12:9, the Bible says, my grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness. God specializes in doing great things through the weakest vessels.

Sam.