Episode Overview

Podcast: Extreme Devotion
Episode: Day 265: Extreme Possession
Host: Voice of The Martyrs
Date: September 22, 2025

Theme:
This episode of Extreme Devotion focuses on the unwavering commitment of 16th-century English Christians to making Scripture accessible in their own language, even when doing so came at the ultimate cost. The moving story centers on a Christian widow and six men persecuted for teaching biblical truths in English—a crime at the time. Through their sacrifice, the episode explores the enduring value of God’s Word and challenges listeners to consider their own devotion.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction: The Cost of Treasuring Scripture

• The episode opens with a powerful statement from Psalm 119:72:
  "Instructions are more valuable to me than millions in gold and silver." (00:16)
• Listeners are invited to reflect on what it means to truly value God’s Word.

2. The Historical Account: England, 1519

• Key Event:
  "Six men and one widow were taken before the court for committing an extreme crime against the Church of England." (00:26)
• Their crime:
  "They had taught their children the Lord's Prayer and the Ten Commandments in the English language." (00:33)
• The context: The Church of England mandated instruction only in Latin, which most commoners did not understand.

3. Risk and Sacrifice for Truth

• These believers had secretly translated portions of Scripture and shared them discreetly:
  "The believers secretly translated parts of Scripture into English and carefully passed the translations from home to home." (00:46)
• Upon discovery, they faced a dire consequence:
  "They were to be tied to stakes and publicly burned." (00:54)

4. The Widow’s Pardon—and her Unwavering Devotion

• Initially, the court showed mercy only to the widow, allowing her freedom:
  "She was allowed to go free. No one protested, for she was alone... and had children to care for at home." (01:05)
• A pivotal moment occurs when a guard, Simon Morton, discovers the widow is still concealing the forbidden English translations:
  "As Simon was leading her by the arm, he heard a rustle within her coat sleeve. He pulled from her coat the English translations, the same materials they had been teaching their children." (01:21)
• Despite her narrow escape, she refuses to surrender the Scriptures:
  "Even though she had just escaped a death sentence, she subsequently refused to part with the translations... believing her children still needed to know the truth of God's Word." (01:33)

5. The Ultimate Sacrifice

• The widow’s fate is sealed:
  "Shortly after, the six men and the courageous widow were secured to three wooden poles and were burned alive." (01:42–01:54)

6. Reflections on True Possession

• The story transitions from historical account to modern reflection:
  "The possessions we value are treated with utmost care and security. Yet to Christians living in the 16th century, scripture was their most prized possession." (01:56)
• The episode closes with a direct challenge and encouragement:
  "Like the tenacious widow in this story, they considered mere pieces of the Bible worth the cost of their lives." (02:06)
  "Our lives must still demonstrate to others that God's Word is precious, though we are unlikely to die in doing so. Do others know how much or little you treasure scripture? Can they tell the personal value God's Word has in your life?" (02:16–02:35)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Host (Psalm 119:72):
  "Instructions are more valuable to me than millions in gold and silver." (00:16)

• Narrative Summary:
  "She subsequently refused to part with the translations... believing her children still needed to know the truth of God's Word." (01:33–01:39)

• Reflection:
  "They considered mere pieces of the Bible worth the cost of their lives." (02:06)

• Challenge to Listeners:
  "Do others know how much or little you treasure scripture? Can they tell the personal value God's Word has in your life?" (02:16–02:35)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:16 — Psalm 119:72 sets the episode's tone
• 00:26–00:54 — Historical background and nature of the “crime”
• 01:05–01:21 — The court’s mercy toward the widow
• 01:21–01:39 — Discovery of concealed translations & the widow’s resolve
• 01:54 — Execution of the martyrs
• 01:56–02:35 — Modern reflection and closing challenge

Tone & Takeaways

The episode is both solemn and inspiring, filled with reverence for historical martyrs and inviting deep personal reflection. Through the story of the courageous widow, listeners are challenged to consider what they truly value—and how their lives show it.