Day by Day with Martin Luther

Read: Exodus 19:16-21:21 Matthew 23:13-39 Proverbs 7:1-5

“The Purification of Mary and the Presentation of our Lord”

“And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed.”
[Luke 2:34]

Christ came to be “Light and Savior” to all the world, as Simeon said, and all would be justified and saved through faith in Him. For that to happen, all other righteousness which is sought in ourselves with works apart from Christ must be rejected. The works righteous folks depend on their deeds, they stumble against their faith, they fall against Christ, and will persecute those who reject their works and serve Christ alone – this is simple unbelief. And as at Christ’s time many in Israel rose against Him, so it will be until the end of the world, for nobody can rise through His works, or through the doctrines of men, [though true teachings are very important] but only through Christ. This is brought about by faith, as has often been said, without any works or merit. Christ first – Christ alone!