Day by Day with Martin Luther

Read: Leviticus 15:1-16:28 Mark 7:1-23 Proverbs 10:13-14

“Dying for Christ”

“He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
[Matthew 17:5]

Without an appearance of angels, and strengthened by the Word alone, the martyrs death is for the sake of the name of Christ. Why should we, too, not be satisfied with the same thing? Baptism is a sufficiently manifest and clear appearance. So are the Eucharist, the Keys, the Ministry of the Word. They are equal to – yes – they even surpass – all the appearances of all angels, in comparison with which Abraham had only droplets and crumbs. Hence, I am not concerned about angels. [that I would lose sleep if they do not visit me today] In spiritual matters we should regard angels as necessary, because God’s promise has been amply displayed in Christ. He has left me His Word, which with I instruct and strengthen myself. We have the Word of God, the Eucharist, Baptism, the Commandments, and the administration of our household. We can easily be satisfied with these gifts of God, until the times Christ returns. They are enough.