“He who lives by the Life cannot die.”
The year was 1235. Europe continued to sink deeper and deeper in a deluge of moral corruption and absurd superstition. The only contact that the so-called “Christian” and Muslim world had with each other in those days was on the battlefield during the horrific conflict known as the Crusades. Carrying the gospel was replaced by the execution infidels as blatant ignorance and sensuality controlled the climate in the West.
During those dark years of history Islam was the world power. The most influential centers of science and education were the Arabian schools in Spain. While Catholic leadership was arguing about how many angels could fit on the tip of a pen the Arabs were practically the sole repositories of scientific knowledge in the entire world. The only concept of missions that the majority of the world has at that time was the Crusades.
Raymund Lull (Raymundo Lulio) was born of an illustrious family at Palma on the island of Majorca. He grew up accustomed to a life of luxury and married at a young age. Shortly thereafter he moved his family to Spain where he was made a seneschal at the court of King James II of Aragon. Lull lived a life void of God and consumed with carnality. He quickly became addicted to music and became a well known court poet. His fame spread throughout the nation and became one of the most popular poets in Spain at the time.
Even with riches and fame, Raymund Lull still lacked something deep inside his heart that made him feel empty and vain. Looking back on his life, Lull later wrote, “…for thirty years I brought forth no fruit in this world, I cumbered the ground, nay was noxious and hurtful to my friends and neighbors. Therefore, since a mere tree, which has neither intellect nor reason, is more fruitful than I have been, I am exceedingly ashamed and count myself worthy of great blame.“
He returned to Palma at the age of thirty-two. While seeking for purpose in life, Lull became a believer and follower of Jesus Christ.
Almost immediately after his conversion, Raymund Lull decided that he would devote his life and energy to reaching the very people that he had hated for so many years. With an overwhelming burden for the Saracens (Arab Muslims) he sold all of his possessions and made a covenant with God to show these people the way of salvation.
In a day when hatred for the Muslim people ran rampant throughout the West, Lull chose to win them one by one through the love of Christ. It was a controversial mission which ultimately cost him his life, nevertheless he faithfully lived out his life’s motto – “He who lives by the Life cannot die.”
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