Ludwig grew up in a privileged family with all the benefits and trappings of nobility the 18th century could provide. He received the best education possible and after graduation, he did what every wealthy student of the day did. He took a year off to tour Europe to round out his education. He was 19 years old.
One day, he climbed the steps of an art gallery in Düsseldorf, Germany. It was the fifth one he had visited that week. As he strolled around, looking at various masterpieces, he felt attracted to a painting by the Italian artist Domenico Feti. The title in Latin said: “Ecce Homo,” meaning: “Behold the Man.” It showed Jesus with a crown of thorns on his head. At the bottom of the picture the artist had written the words: “This I have done for you. What have you done for me?”
The question astonished Ludwig. As he thought about it, the usual answers came to mind. He had loved Him, read the Bible, prayed, and sang hymns.
But somehow, those things seemed insignificant compared to all that Jesus Christ had done by suffering and dying. “I will do more,” Ludwig quietly vowed to himself. “I will not spend my life in idle touring and visiting.”
With the artists question ever before him, Ludwig eventually opened his vast estate to persecuted Moravian Christians. Under his leadership a vibrant community launched a 24/7 Prayer movement that went on without interruption for over 100 years. The question that had propelled Ludwig, encouraged the Moravians to start what turned out to be the beginning of the modern missions’ movement. Starting in the little town of Herrnhut, (Lord’s Watch) they traveled as far as Africa, America, and Russia. These bold Moravian believers planted seeds that continue to bear fruit even today, some losing their own lives in the process.
Count Nikolas Ludwig von Zinzendorf had taken the artists question serious and reoriented his life. He knew, he could never repay Jesus for his sacrifice. But he determined to follow the One who had given His all, the one who calls all people to come, and follow Him!
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