A Bundle of Myrrh

“Firmly believe that Christ has taken upon himself your sin and death. For that is how the virtue of the resurrection is given to me and to you.

For if I do not make use of it in this way, I do my Lord Christ great injustice, I let his triumph and victory remain barren, for he wills that it shall bear great fruit, namely that in all affliction, sin and fear, I should see nothing but Christ triumphant rising from the dead.”

“For we are called Christians because we can look to Christ and say, “Dear Lord, you have taken upon yourself my sin and have become Martin, Peter and Paul, and have trodden my sin underfoot and consumed it! There I look for my sin as you have directed me. On Good Friday I still see my sin before my eyes, but on Easter Day a new person has been born.”

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“To enjoy the Christian faith here on earth does not mean to have all things in abundance and lack nothing. Look at your king, the Lord Jesus. Of what does he boast? What comfort has he in life? How highly is he praised? He has nothing but suffering, scorn, and disdain, and he dies in shame.”

“All those who know the way of this king and his kingdom willingly bear the cross. For they not only know that Christ, the eternal king, fared in the same way and is thus himself willing and ready to suffer, but they also take comfort in the knowledge that life in the eternal kingdom is full of joy and splendor, even though suffering must be endured on earth. That makes Christians joyful even in the midst of sorrows and trials.” Martin Luther

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