The bubonic plague struck with force in Wittenburg, Germany in 1527. Wittenburg University faculty and many prominent citizens relocated to safer areas. Reformer Martin Luther was one of the lone holdouts who decided to stay put and sent a pastoral letter to ministerial colleagues wrestling with the same decision titled, “Whether One May Flee from a Deadly Plague”. Johannes Bugenhagen (1485-1558) and his family moved into the Luther home (a former monastery) with another family to support each other during the epidemic. Johannes had come to Wittenburg years earlier to study at the university as a second career and was appointed pastor of St. Mary’s Church in town, thereby becoming Martin’s pastor and chief spiritual advisor. They served together in ministry for twenty-five years until Martin’s death in 1546. Johannes officiated at Martin’s wedding to Katie in 1525 and conducted his funeral. When Johannes moved into the Luther household with his wife Walpurga and three small children, Martin was in declining health and suffering from depression. The heavy responsibilities of the fledging Reformation wore on Martin, causing considerable anxiety and stress. As Martin sat at a table in great sadness, Johannes said strongly, “No doubt God is thinking, ‘What have I to do with this man? I have given him so many excellent gifts, and yet he despairs my grace.'” While it isn’t clear whether Johannes’ words were spoken sarcastically or in earnest, they startled Martin out of his melancholic state and struck him in the heart like a voice from heaven. Johannes faithfully served St. Mary’s Church for thirty-five years, but his greatest legacy may be in caring for this great Reformation leader.
Johannes wrote and compiled prayers for use in worship known as the Pomeranian Agenda. Pomerania was a territory in Germany where he was born which is most well-known for its Pomeranian breed of dogs. Some prayers originate from Martin’s hand, while others come from Johannes. A portion of his Advent prayer leads us to pray: