I feel like...

In pondering our current circumstances, I have come to realize how good the Triune God has been to me and my family.

• I feel like the the widow of Zarephath (1 Kgs 17). Although she had little, the Lord permitted what little she had to sustain her and her son for several years. So also, for many years my wife has fed our family (of eight) on less than $450 per month and we always have plenty on the table and in our bellies.
• I feel like the people of Israel whose clothes did not wear out during their 40 years in the wilderness (Dt 8). Many people have been generous with hand-me-downs for my family. We have received many name-brand, barely-worn clothing. My wife has made sure that I don't gain weight and so I can wear most of my clothes for several years.
• I feel like Jairus who received his daughter back (Lk 8). Through the skills of doctors and their staffs, my youngest daughter has been brought back to me after several heart surgeries. I am most thankful for our Concordia Plans for covering her medical expenses and to the congregations who support Concordia Plans so that the funds would be available.
• I feel like the man beaten by robbers whose livelihood and life were taken from him (Lk 10) who is saved by the Good Samaritan. The Lord has taught me that my life and hope do not rest in myself or others, but solely in Him. It is so hard to keep repenting of my pride and arrogance. Yet, in doing so, I return again and again to the mercies of God and find rest in His strength. Yes, many things have been taken away, but that "One thing needful" remains my inheritance and my Good Samaritan generously cares for my wounds and provides for my healing through His holy sacraments.
  

Now I feel like stopping.

Luther on the Law of the Law

In preparation for my presentation at the Annual Theological Conference of The Augustana Ministerium, I came upon an interesting article by Tuomo Mannermaa entitled "The Doctrine of Justification and Christology" (Concordia Theological Quarterly, July 2000, pp. 206-239) with an excellent quote from Martin Luther:

Thus with the sweetest names Christ is called my Law, my sin, and my death, in opposition to the Law, sin, and death, even though in fact He is nothing but sheer liberty, righteousness, life, and eternal salvation. Therefore He became Law to the Law, sin to sin, and death to death, in order that He might redeem me from the curse of the Law, justify me, and make me alive. And so Christ is both: While He is the Law, He is liberty; while He is sin, He is righteousness; and while He is death, He is life. For by the very fact that He permitted the Law to accuse Him, sin to damn Him, and death to devour Him He abrogated the Law, damned sin, destroyed death, and justified and saved me. Thus Christ is a poison against the Law, sin, and death, and simultaneously a remedy to regain liberty, righteousness, and eternal life. (LW 26, p. 163: Gal 2:20)