Written by Dr. Marcus J. Serven
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” Matthew 6:25
The great Protestant Reformer, Martin Luther, was born on November 10, 1483 in the small German town of Eisleben. It was here that his father and mother presented him for baptism the very next day in the village church. In the year following his birth Martin Luther’s family moved to Mansfield where his father, Hans, worked as a silver miner. Hans Luther came from peasant stock, but through an enterprising spirit and lots of hard work he made enough money from mining silver that he was able to afford an excellent education for his young son, Martin. Bright and conscientious, Martin Luther progressed through the academic ranks attending the very best preparatory schools. For five years young Martin Luther studied in the Latin School in Mansfield, where he distinguished himself as a superior student. When he was fourteen years old his parents determined to send him away from home to the Latin School in Magdeburg run by the “Brethren of the Common Life.” He continued to do well in his academic studies. God had given him a “good mind” so that he learned his lessons quickly without too much difficulty.
The next year, at fifteen years old, his parents sent him far away to the well-regarded School of St. George in Eisenach, Germany. They were able to afford the cost of tuition, but unfortunately they were not always able to send enough money for his food! Several other students were in the same predicament, and in desperation they formed a small choir that would stroll through the streets of Eisenach every night “singing for their supper.” On one particularly unsuccessful night, Martin Luther was noticed by Frau Ursula Cotta while he walked across the village square. At this moment Martin Luther was thoroughly dejected after not getting anything to eat. Frau Cotta remembered him from the local church choir as one who “sang with a voice like an angel.” She asked her husband, Herr Conrad Cotta, if the young boy could be invited to dinner the next night. Herr Cotta agreed and Martin Luther was summoned to visit the Cotta home. Following the dinner, and after satisfying Martin Luther’s ravenous appetite, Frau Cotta appealed to her husband once again to let the young boy regularly come to their table for meals. Eventually, Luther was invited to move into the Cotta’s home where he stayed for two more years while he studied at school. At the conclusion of his studies in Eisenach, he was like an “adopted son” to the Cotta family.
In the fall of 1501, at his parent’s urging, he moved to Erfurt and enrolled in the University seeking a career in law. Once again, Luther excelled at his studies and in 1502 he was awarded a Bachelor of Arts Degree in September (30th out of 57 graduates), and a few years later in 1505 he earned a Master of Arts Degree in January (2nd out of 17 graduates). By God’s providential design, Martin Luther was now an accomplished and educated young man who was on his way to prosperity. Little did he know, however, that the Lord had other plans for him and that in a few years time (approx. 1514) he would rediscover the Gospel which had been hidden for centuries beneath the traditions of men. With his new found faith, Martin Luther would go on to become a reformer of the church.
Here is one final thought: Imagine the great loss to this world if due to a lack of food young Martin Luther had been forced to return home to dig in his father’s silver mines! Without any doubt, he would have worked hard at mining silver ore from the earth. However, the Lord had destined Martin Luther to work hard at mining truths from the Word of God. It is likely that if he had returned to his father’s mine he would never have become an accomplished teacher of the Bible, or a faithful pastor and preacher, nor a bold and determined reformer who would bring about the Protestant Reformation. Let us, then, give thanks to God for the compassion of Frau Ursula Cotta who opened her home (and her heart) to a young Martin Luther when he was “singing for his supper.” It was through her act of kindness that Martin Luther was able to continue in his studies at Eisenach. And, many years later, it was this same young boy would grow into a great man of God who would reform the church of Jesus Christ and go on to change the world.
Resources for Further Study:
— For Children:
Carr, Simonetta. Martin Luther. Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 2020.
Kennedy, Jared. The Story of Martin Luther: the Monk Who Changed the World. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Publishers, 2024.
Kleyn, Diana and Joel R. Beeke. Reformation Heroes. Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 2020.
Lenski, Gerhard E. Stirring Scenes from the Life of Luther. Columbus, OH: Lutheran Book Concern, 1935.
Stepanek, Sally, World Leaders, Past & Present: Martin Luther, New York, NY: Chelsea House Publishers, 1986.
— For Adults:
Bainton, Roland. Here I Stand. New York, NY: Penguin Books, 1950.
D’Aubigne, J. H. Merle. The History of the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century. Volume 1. H. White, trans. Harrisonburg, VA: Sprinkle Publications, Reprint, 2001.
George, Timothy. Theology of the Reformers. Revised Edition. Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2013.
Kittleson, James M. Luther the Reformer: The Story of the Man and his Career. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House, 1986.
Kolb, Robert. Martin Luther as Prophet, Teacher, and Hero: Images of the Reformer 1520-1620. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1999.
Metaxas, Eric. The Man Who Rediscovered God and Changed the World. New York, NY: Penguin Books, 2017.
Nichols, Stephen J. Beyond the 95 Theses: Martin Luther’s Life, Thought, and Lasting Legacy. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2016.
Sproul, R. C. and Stephen J. Nichols, eds. The Legacy of Luther. Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust Publishing, 2016.
Woodbridge, John D., ed. Great Leaders of the Christian Church. Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1988.
Dr. Marcus J. Serven, ThM and DMin
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