Day by Day with Martin Luther

Read: Leviticus 1:1-3:17 Mark 1:29-2:12 Proverbs 9:13-18

“Where the Cross is Found”

“The saying is trustworthy, for: if we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him”
[2nd Timothy 2:11-12 ]

When faith begins, God does not forsake it; He lays the holy cross upon us to strengthen us and to make faith powerful in us. The Holy Gospel is a powerful Word. It cannot do its work without trials, and only he who tastes it, is aware that it has such power. Where suffering and the cross are found, there the Gospel can show and exercise it power. It is a Word of life. Therefore it must exercise all its power in death. In the absence of dying and death it can do nothing, and no one can become aware that it has such power and is stronger than sin and death. God lays a cross upon all believers in order that they may taste and prove the power of God – the power which they hold of through faith. For if we live with Him, we must also die with Him. If I want to sit with Him in His kingdom, I must also suffer with Him, as St. Paul often says (Romans 6:5 / 2nd Timothy 2:11).