Luther’s last days
Luther’s last days
Considering Martin Luther’s medical history, we marvel that God enabled him to be as productive as he was for as long as he was. At various times he suffered serious digestive problems, kidney stones, anemia, depression, and gout. In 1533, he complained of vertigo, with ringing and buzzing in his ears. In 1537, he had to leave the meeting of Lutheran princes and theologians at Smalcald when he showed symptoms of uremia. He almost retired to Mrs. Luther’s farm in the summer of 1545, suffering from congestive heart failure. Both his sight and his hearing were in decline.
His death
In the last months of his life, Luther returned twice to Eisleben, the city of his birth. In 1545, the three counts of Mansfeld, brothers who shared a tiny territory that included Eisleben, were involved in a lengthy property dispute. They asked Luther, 62 years old and ailing, to arbitrate the case. Partly because some church property was involved, he agreed. In late 1545 and early 1546, he advised the counts. Before agreement could be reached, the brothers went on a military campaign against a common enemy, so Luther returned to Wittenberg.
In late January the counts were ready to renew their efforts and asked Luther to rejoin them. He took his sons and their tutors to Eisleben with him. By Feb. 14 his patient efforts had brought the counts to agree in principle to a settlement. During the three weeks of negotiations he took care of other business, wrote several letters to Katherine, and preached four sermons. At the end of his last sermon, he said: “There is so much more to say about the gospel, but I am tired.”
Late on Feb. 17, Luther experienced an irregular heartbeat. Between 2 and 3 a.m. the next day, his colleague, Justus Jonas, spoke with him for the last time. “Reverend Father,” he said, “do you wish to die steadfastly in Jesus Christ and in the faith as you preached it?” Luther answered, “Yes.” Martin Luther went home to his Lord and Savior early on Feb. 18, 1546.
His burial
The Mansfeld counts wanted Eisleben’s illustrious native son to be buried in Eisleben, but Elector John Frederick overruled them. There was a funeral service at St. Andrew’s in Eisleben, and then the return trip to Wittenberg began. En route, the village churches tolled their bells as the funeral party passed through town. On Sunday morning there was a funeral service at Halle.
His death
In the last months of his life, Luther returned twice to Eisleben, the city of his birth. In 1545, the three counts of Mansfeld, brothers who shared a tiny territory that included Eisleben, were involved in a lengthy property dispute. They asked Luther, 62 years old and ailing, to arbitrate the case. Partly because some church property was involved, he agreed. In late 1545 and early 1546, he advised the counts. Before agreement could be reached, the brothers went on a military campaign against a common enemy, so Luther returned to Wittenberg.
In late January the counts were ready to renew their efforts and asked Luther to rejoin them. He took his sons and their tutors to Eisleben with him. By Feb. 14 his patient efforts had brought the counts to agree in principle to a settlement. During the three weeks of negotiations he took care of other business, wrote several letters to Katherine, and preached four sermons. At the end of his last sermon, he said: “There is so much more to say about the gospel, but I am tired.”
Late on Feb. 17, Luther experienced an irregular heartbeat. Between 2 and 3 a.m. the next day, his colleague, Justus Jonas, spoke with him for the last time. “Reverend Father,” he said, “do you wish to die steadfastly in Jesus Christ and in the faith as you preached it?” Luther answered, “Yes.” Martin Luther went home to his Lord and Savior early on Feb. 18, 1546.
His burial
The Mansfeld counts wanted Eisleben’s illustrious native son to be buried in Eisleben, but Elector John Frederick overruled them. There was a funeral service at St. Andrew’s in Eisleben, and then the return trip to Wittenberg began. En route, the village churches tolled their bells as the funeral party passed through town. On Sunday morning there was a funeral service at Halle.
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