The Meaning of the Ascension
This painful, cruel captivity, from which none
could escape, shall forever be led captive. This is the meaning of the 68.
Psalm when we there read: “Christ has ascended on high, and has led captivity
captive.” He crushed the head of the devil, the god and prince of this world,
and took from him his power and cast him into prison, even into tho gloomy
fetters of hell, so that henceforth neither he nor his angels can injure those
who believe in Christ. And though the devil rages with horrible madness and
shows his teeth in blind fury, ready to bite like a rabid dog in chains, yet he
can do no harm, but can only terrify us a little; for our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ holds him bound, a prisoner, a culprit, judged, sentenced and
damned. Therefore the devil has no authority over us, nor can he injure us, but
will rather by his continual lying in wait make us more cautious to cling
steadily to Christ, the Conqueror, who crushed the head of the serpent;
otherwise, if the devil did not rave and threaten so furiously, we might become
secure and careless. But the enemy is at hand; he neither rests nor permits us
to be at peace; this makes us watchful, active and bold.
Luther’s
House Postils, Volume 2, p. 346.
The Comforter
You are aware that we believe the Holy Ghost to be
true God, eternal and almighty. Christ designates Him in our text by an
especial name when He calls Him “the Comforter.” This appellation would
indicate that the Christians must be ready to endure dangers and to suffer
pain; for what need would there be of a Comforter if sorrow and suffering were
not our lot? The suffering of the Christians, according to the text, shall
consist not only in being put to death, which would not be the severest trial
of their faith, but in this also, that those who slay them shall think they are
doing God service, and will proclaim abroad that their victims suffered
deservedly. It is indeed a most appalling death and punishment when every one
is ready to exclaim: Ah, it is right thus; this heretic has but received his
dues! Thus we see that the Christians have no sympathy nor consolation from the
world; they are persecuted and slain as heretics. Sometimes they are even weak
enough to think: Perhaps we acted amiss and were imprudent in our confession.
Thus they are looked upon as evil-doers by the world, and are scarcely easy in
their own conscience.
Luther’s
House Postils, Volume 2, p. 355.
Our Pentecost
How different from this is our Pentecost! It has no
terror, but is full of cheer and glory and happiness and joy. We have heard how
the Evangelist narrates the event: When the day of Pentecost was fully come,
while the Jews were busy with thanksgiving for the possession of the Ten
Commandments, and considered the occurrence on mount Sinai, the apostles and
other Christians were also assembled in a certain house. Then there came of a
sudden a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the
house where they were sitting. At the same time there appeared unto them cloven
tongues like flames of fire, flickering heavenwards; and thus the Holy Ghost
was publicly seen and heard. He was heard in the mighty rushing of the wind,
and was seen in the flames of fire. Thus Christ had promised it, and John the
Baptist had prophesied: “You shall be baptized with fire and the Holy Ghost.”
Luther’s
House Postils, Volume 2, p. 370.
The Apostles Receive the Holy Ghost
Volume Three
The
Trinity
The Holy Trinity
The question here is not whether this doctrine is
true, but whether it is found in the Word of God. If it is found there, then be
assured that it is true, for God’s Word is truth. Since the Holy Scriptures
have this article of our faith, as we have just now seen, and since our fathers
so earnestly contended for its preservation, and have handed it down to us in
its purity, we should not doubt nor attempt to investigate with our reason how
Father, Son and Holy Ghost can be one God. We poor human creatures cannot even
comprehend, though we have the help of ever so many wise men of this world, how
it happens that we laugh, or can see a high hill many miles away, or how sleep
overpowers us so that the body seems dead and is yet alive. If we are thus
unable to understand matters pertaining to our own life and daily experience,
why then, prompted by the devil, should we venture with our own reason to
comprehend God in His majesty and divine essence! If we must speculate, let us
begin with our own selves, and find out what becomes of our eyes, ears and
other senses when we sleep. Speculation in this direction might at least be indulged
in without harm. The question here is
not whether this doctrine is true, but whether it is found in the Word of God.
Luther’s
House Postils, Volume 3, p. 10.
Rich Man, Poor Man
For these two examples of the rich man and Lazarus
the Lord places before the whole world. The first is that of the rich man, who
for a short time lived here on earth in joy and happiness, but in the other
world is lost and eternally sad; and the second one, that of Lazarus, who for a
certain length of time here on earth was poor and miserable, but in the other
world is rich and happy. These are set before us in order that each one may
learn to act according to these examples; for in respect to both we must
receive a certain instruction and must conduct ourselves correctly, or eternal
life is lost.
Therefore whoever here on earth is poor and
miserable, like Lazarus, let him learn not to be offended at such misery, and
not to seek his comfort in this temporal life, but to hope in that which is
future and eternal.
For no Christian is to think that when he fares ill God has forgotten
him or is angry with him. For this is God’s way and manner, that like a good
father He is always after His children with the rod, in order that through such
correction they may be admonished and kept from sin; since they would
otherwise, if there were no correction, feel secure and continue in sin.
Therefore a Christian is not only not to be offended at his misery, but to
derive the assurance therefrom that God loves him, thinks of him and seeks what
is best for him. As also the wise man says: “If a father really loves his son,
he corrects him.” Luther’s House Postils, Volume 3, p. 35.
