2 Corinthians 10: 17-18
“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
It seems odd for protestants to consider Bernard of Clairvaux today because he is an example of monastic life and theology. Why remember a monk when we have the pure Gospel of Christ? We remember this particular monk because of His faith in Jesus and his wonderful teachings about Faith and Grace. He was influential in the developing faith of Martin Luther and was one who Martin Luther called “the best monk that ever lived, whom I admire beyond all the rest put together.” With such appreciation from the reformer, it is good for us to consider Bernard today to remember that the teachings of the pure Gospel of Jesus Christ will be heard all through the ages. At the right time, God caused the teachings of Bernard of Clairvaux bring the light of the Gospel to the church.
Bernard was the son of Tecelin, a knight and vassal of the Duke of Burgundy. He was distinguished by his studious and meditative habits. He left his noble family and a life of ease that he enjoyed there, to enter a monastery in 1113. His life in the monastery was simple and marked by holiness, prayer, and caring for others. He established 163 monasteries throughout Europe.
But, it wasn’t the monasteries that brought him the highest regard among the reformers. In fact, monasteries were later seen as being in conflict with higher vocations in the home, family, and community. Instead, it was Bernard’s emphasis on the Biblical teachings of God’s Grace and personal faith for salvation that opened the hearts and minds of so many to the true Gospel.
Our Bible passage for today reminds us that all that we accomplish is only truly good when it comes from the Lord. The Lord used Bernard of Clairvaux to shine the light of the Gospel of Jesus. What is that Gospel?
God so loved the World that He sent His Son Jesus. Through faith in Jesus and His redeemed work on the cross, we have peace with God, resurrection and eternal life. The witness of God’s love in Jesus was the faith that influenced Bernard of Clairvaux. The Gospel that inspired Bernard’s witness to Jesus helped those who would follow, including Martin Luther.
We thank God for the faithful pastors and teachers in our lives. And most of all, we boast in the Lord. For as we share the Gospel, the work of God is a message that leads to eternal life.
Let us pray,
I thank you Lord for Christians who have faithfully taught and lived among us. I thank you for the life and work of Bernard of Clairvaux and the influence he had upon the joyful news of Gospel of your Grace and Faith in Jesus. Help me this day to trust in my Savior Jesus for my salvation and joyfully follow in His steps. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.