Luc. 18:31-43.
And he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things shall be accomplished which were written by the prophets concerning the Son of man. For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles; and he shall be mocked, and reviled, and spit upon; and they shall scourge him, and kill him; and the third day he shall rise again. But they heard none of these things, and the words were hid from them, neither knew they what they spake. Now it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Jericho, that a blind man sat by the way side begging. When he heard the people passing by, he inquired what it was. Then they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. And he cried out, saying, JEsu, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And they that went before him beset him, that he should hold his peace. But he cried much more, Son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus held his peace, and commanded him to be brought unto him. And when they had brought him nigh unto him, he asked him, saying, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may see. And Jesus said unto him, Be thou seen; thy faith hath helped thee. And straightway he saw, and followed him, and glorified God. And all the people who saw these things praised God.
(1) In today's Gospel there are two pieces. The first is the prophecy or prophecy in which the Lord announces his future suffering to his twelve apostles alone. And these are the words which the angels on the day of Easter hold out to the women at the tomb, saying, Luc. 24:6, 7: "Remember how he said unto you, while he was yet in Galilee, saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinners, and be crucified, and rise again the third day." For the Lord Jesus is now on his way from Galilee to Jerusalem, where he stayed and was crucified. The other part is the miracle of the blind man.
The first part is that the Lord takes the twelve and says: "Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things are finished which were written by the prophets concerning the Son of man; for he shall be delivered to the Gentiles. etc. This is what he preached while he was still in Galilee, before he came to Jerusalem. But the evangelist says three times that the disciples did not understand this prophecy. For they thought that he spoke with strange and perverse words, which had a peculiar understanding.
*) Held in the house, 1534.
They did not understand that he would suffer at Jerusalem; it was as if they heard a strange, unknown language, since they could not understand a word. Therefore the evangelist does not repeat so often in vain, saying, "They heard none of these things, and the speech was hid from them, neither did they know what was spoken." The reason was this: Their hearts were in such a state that they thought that the man Jesus Christ performs so many miraculous signs, raises the dead, gives sight to the blind etc. that we must see and grasp that God is with him. Therefore, in time he must become a great lord, greater than Joseph in Egypt or Daniel in the land of Babylon. And we, his servants, will also be princes and great lords. For who would want to harm such a mighty man, who can heal and drive out death and all plagues with a word? Therefore their heart was thus: God is too good in him, he will not let him suffer anything. But that his words are as if he were speaking how he should suffer and die will actually have a different interpretation. This was the idea of the apostles.
(3) This shows that all God's words and works are of this kind: if they are spoken of before they happen, they cannot be understood. But when they are done, then they are understood and seen. So
Says St. John, Cap. 2, 22, that when Jesus had risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said these things, and believed the Scriptures and the words that he had spoken. Therefore, to God's word by natural and divine right belongs faith. For the Word of God speaks and cannot speak otherwise than of things which reason neither understands nor can comprehend. Therefore one should believe it, and when one has believed it, then one should also experience that it is true and understand it correctly.
4. as that I give an example: God's word teaches us about the resurrection of the dead. Reason does not understand such things. Therefore it is seen that worldly people mock us and take us for fools, that we believe it and let ourselves be persuaded that there is a resurrection of the dead and a life after this life. Thus, that God became man and was born of a virgin into the world is not compatible with reason, which says no to it. Therefore, it must be believed until we get there and see it, and say: Now I understand it, yes, I also see that it is true what I believed before. So: that one should receive forgiveness of sins, God's grace and mercy, without any merit, through the water bath of baptism and through absolution, is also very lying before reason. It thus says: "Christians are foolish and foolish who believe such things; if God is to be reconciled, something higher and better must be done, namely, good works that make us angry and hurt us. As we have the example of the Pope before our eyes, who points people to his own merit through his preaching.
(5) Reason will not accept that it should believe that through baptism and faith in Christ alone all that belongs to salvation should be established; reason considers this to be a lie. For it does not know what faith is; it considers it a small thing: faith in Christ. So the word also seems to be a small thing, and he who leads and preaches it is also a poor, frail man and sinner. Now that one should stake and dare to stake his life and limb for eternity on faith and the word, both of which seem to be little things, is beyond reason.
ridiculous. Therefore, even if God's word is recited to the people in German, reason does not accept it, it does not believe it, it says it is not true; and therefore the dear gospel must have and keep the name before the world that it is heresy and the doctrine of the devil, since people are seduced with it and taught that they should do no good. Reason cannot judge otherwise.
(6) Therefore, we should only learn to believe simply and say: If it is God's word, then I have no doubt about it; even if I do not yet see, grasp or feel that it is so, I still hear that God says it. He is so great and powerful that He can make it true that I will grasp and understand it in His time or ever in that life, yes, see and grasp it, even if I do not understand it now.
(7) So it is also seen in examples. Before David attacks Goliath, he believes he will strike and slay him, for he has God's word; as he says to Saul, "The Lord who delivered me from the lion and the bear will also deliver me from this Philistine"; item: "This Philistine, the uncircumcised, shall be like the lion and the bear, for he has defiled the testimony of the living God", 1 Sam. 17, 37. 36. 17:37, 36. This is so firmly seated in his heart that, although there is no comparison of his strength with the strength of the Philistine, yet he joyfully comes before the Philistine and says, "This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will smite you and take your head from you." V.46. Everyone heard these words from the mouth of David, but they were considered a lie and a mockery. And is true, if it had been David's word alone and not God's, it would have been nothing. But it is God's word, and David believes it before he hears it. And though Goliath is angry and curses David, saying, "Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with a rod?" etc. Nevertheless it comes to pass, and David is saved. Reason did not see it that David should strike down such a great, strong giant with a sling and a stone. But David believed and did it. And when he had done so, it could be seen, even grasped, that it was true and not a lie.
8 But before, when only the word was there that David said, "The Lord will deliver you into my hands today," it was the greatest lie, yes, an impossible thing. For reason makes its calculation thus: David is a boy, in addition a shepherd, who was in no war, completely bare comes along with a stick and a sling. But the giant comes armed with his armor and large spear. Is not this a likeness of armor and armor that is ridiculous to behold, that David, the little young archer, should do such a thing, that no man in the whole camp should be subject to it? Therefore Eliab his greatest brother is enraged against him, saying, "Why did you come down? I know well thy presumption, and the wickedness of thine heart: for thou art come down to see the battle." And king Saul saith also unto him, Thou canst not go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art a boy, but this man is a man of war from his youth." David himself did not see it, nor did he feel that God would punish the blasphemy against his enemy and help him. Nevertheless, David did so, because he believed the word.
9 Thus it goes through and through. God's word and work are always considered impossible before they happen. But when it has come to pass and is done, it is seen that it is exceedingly easy and small. But before it comes to pass, it is not to be known or understood, but to be believed. For how sin is washed away through baptism, and we shall rise from the dead on the last day, this the insane will never understand; especially because it is seen that many a holy man is eaten by birds, torn to pieces by dogs and wolves, some are burned to ashes and the ashes are thrown into the running water; as the pope did to St. John Hus at Costnitz. So reason thinks: Where will our Lord God take the body again? But God has said that He wants to awaken and bring forth our bodies again. It is His word, therefore it is not only unbelievable to reason, but also impossible to see. But do you believe
it, so it shall come true. For he is the man who is all-powerful and can make all things out of nothing.
(10) What were we a hundred, even sixty years ago? Just as little as the child that will be born twenty, thirty, forty years after us. Since God is able to make all things out of nothing, He will also be able to make something out of that which was something. Therefore, one should not look at whether a thing is possible, but one should say: God has said it, therefore it will happen, if it would otherwise already be impossible. For even though I cannot see or grasp it, He is the Lord who can make an impossible thing into a possible thing, and out of nothing into everything.
(11) Therefore, Pope Clement, Cardinal V. M. and others, who want to measure our Lord God's word and work according to their reason, are exceedingly annoying fools. For they conclude: "Because I cannot bring a dead man to life, God cannot bring a dead man to life. They reckon God's word and work according to their sense and ability. If this were true, that God's word and work could be measured according to our reason, then our Lord God could have kept his mouth shut. But because he speaks, it is a sign that our reason does not know or understand everything, and that God's word is above and against all reason, as can be seen in experience.
This is God's way. I proclaim to you forgiveness of sins and absolve or release you from the command of Christ. Then you hear the word, and when you have heard it and are absolved from sins, you still do not feel that God and His angels are smiling at you, you do not know anything about friendship.
13 So when you are baptized, you have the skin and the flesh after baptism, which you had before baptism. But shall both absolution and baptism be nothing? Oh no. Therefore learn to say: God baptized me, God absolved me from my sins by His word. Therefore I firmly believe, even though I do not see or feel it, that God has absolved me from my sins.
And Christ, my Lord, calls me his brother, and the dear angels have a special great joy over me. These things, I say, I believe; though I neither see nor feel them, yet I have no doubt at all. If the Pope does not believe it, it does not matter, I will believe it, because God will not lie to me in His word.
(14) The disciples here could not do this art, or they would not have argued or wondered about it for a long time; they would have decided and said, "Just as he speaks, so will it be done; for the man cannot lie, let it be done when or how he wills. But the blind man, whom the evangelist tells us about, can do this very well. His eyes are so blind that he does not see a speck (not the slightest thing) with them. But as soon as he hears the word, "Behold," he believes; therefore it happens to him as he believes. Such a word, when it is still alone, speaks of a thing that does not exist, because the eyes of the blind man are still closed; but soon after the word, because he believes, the work follows, just as he believed that he could also grasp and feel. So the disciples also should have done: though they could not see as it was possible, yet they should have believed, because they had his word. For nothing belongs to the word but faith. But what happens? Christ tells them what will happen to him at Jerusalem, but they do not understand; therefore they do not believe it to be true. They do not think the Lord is a liar, but they think his words have a different meaning.
This is the first thing we should learn from today's Gospel, namely, to believe the Word of God with all our heart, without wavering. The pope knows nothing about such faith, nor does he teach anything about it, and no pope knows what faith and Christ are. But you should know and be able to know that there is a Christian heart that not only hears God's word of forgiveness of sins, but also firmly believes it, and does not waver, even if it does not feel or see anything about it. And this is the kind of faith and heart that God's word always wants. If we now
If we have firmly believed, and God reveals it and brings it to light that the experience is found, then we will say: O good to me that I have believed. But Pope Clement, Cardinal V. M., Erasmus and others who did not believe will see, wonder and say: Who would have thought of this? Zetermordio, that we have not believed! So in the end they will have to believe. But it will be lost, and nothing will help them: it has lasted too long.
(16) This is the lesson, that we should not be offended at the word of God, even if it is miraculous, false, and impossible, but should stand firm on it: If God has spoken it, then it must be done. So that one does not ask whether it is possible, but only looks at whether God has spoken it. For if God has spoken it, he is so powerful and true that he can do it. Therefore one should believe it. But he who will not believe it blasphemes God to the highest degree. Therefore, let us do this honor to our Lord God, and keep the first commandment, so that we do not doubt that God will make it sound as false as it always can, what God says, so that it will surely come true. Where God's word is, be it in baptism, absolution, in the sacrament, in the preaching of the Gospel, God Himself speaks to us. In absolution he himself absolves us from sins, in the sacrament or communion Christ himself feeds us with his body and blood. Thus we have God's word in the church, yes, in the house; when the priest in the church, the Father in the house talks to us, God Himself talks to us. Let us therefore see to it that we take it for God's word and accept it.
The other piece in today's Gospel is about the blind man. There the evangelist teaches us the proper art of begging, that one should learn to lewdly beg before God, be impudent and always stop. For he who is stupid soon lets himself be rejected and is not fit for begging. Just as I, when I was a young student, once begged for the New Year. I came with my journeyman in front of a house and sang for a bratwurst. Then the landlord came running out with a shout and said: Where are you boys? and brought two sausages. But I and my companion ran
and thought he wanted to beat us, until the host called after us and told us to get the sausages etc. Such are no good for begging. You have to take off your cap of shame and think that our Lord God wants us to be horny and to stop. For it is his pleasure and honor that he wants to give much, and it pleases him well that one thinks much good of him. Therefore one should do it as brazenly as he likes. For he who wants to wait until he is worthy of God's giving him something, will certainly never ask for anything. Therefore, it is best to take off one's cap of shame and open one's mouth quickly, and say: Lord, I am in great trouble here and there, both in body and soul, and therefore need your help and comfort. Item, I must have this and that, therefore I ask that you give it to me.
The monks and the beggars in the streets and alleys know this art well. But people don't like it, they get tired of horny and reject such beggars with bad words. But our Lord God likes such lechers, who stop confidently and do not want to be turned away, as we see here in this blind man, who would have liked to have healthy eyes. Therefore, when he hears the great hustle and bustle passing by, he first asks what is going on. When he hears of Jesus, he begins to cry out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! Those who go ahead threaten him to be silent. But he does not turn back, even the more he is resisted, the more confidently he cries out.
19 This is a true lecher and a fine beggar, such as our Lord God loves. Therefore we should take good note of this example, and also come before the Lord Christ and ask him, "O Lord, I am a poor sinner; grant that your kingdom may come to me also, and forgive me my sin. Help here, help there etc. He who thus begs and impudently pleads does right, and our Lord God is pleased with him. For he is not so disgusting as we humans. We can be made weary, unenthusiastic and unwilling with lust; but it is a great honor to him that he should be thought a merciful Lord, and not be desisted from, but say, "O Lord, it is your honor and your service, by which you are glorified and honored, that I have been praised by you.
beg. Therefore, O Lord, see not that I am unworthy, but that I am in need of thy help. For that I, an unworthy man and a poor sinner, ask of thee, it is in thy honor; so also I am not in need of thy help, and thou canst and wilt give to them that ask thee.
20 Such unashamed prayer, which persists and cannot be deterred, pleases God well, as we see here in the blind man: as soon as he begins to ask, the Lord quickly calls him to Him, everyone has to get out of the way. And he, the blind man, is not ashamed of anything and lets himself be led to him. Immediately the Lord asks him: "What do you want me to do to you? You can see how the Lord's hands are open. As if to say, "Ask whatever you want, and I will give it to you. The blind man does not tarry long and says, "I ask that I may see." Then the Lord answers, "Yes, you shall see." This is an impudent request, but it is very graciously answered. This is what we should learn to do for the blind man, so we should also go out with our prayer and present our need to Christ, and certainly believe that he will hear us and grant us.
(21) In the priesthood we ourselves despised our prayers and thought: If others do not pray for us, we will not obtain anything. But no Christian should do such a thing; but as soon as the need comes, he runs into the church or chamber, and falls on his knees, saying, "Lord, here I come; I must have this and that, though I am unworthy. But look at my need and my misery, and help for your glory's sake. So learn to pray unashamedly, and do not doubt that God will give you what is good and useful to you for the sake of Christ. For the promise is clear and certain: "Whatever you ask in the name of Jesus shall be done for you. But see to it that you do not grow weary in praying, because God does not grow weary in giving. The more you persevere in prayer, the more God likes it; he will not let you tire of your prayer, yes, your prayer would be so strong and earnest, he should hear you the same hour and give you what you desire, which he would not otherwise do and would take a long time. But he hurries and gives it for the sake of it.
for the sake of prayer. As I hope that the last day will not remain long outside, but will come sooner than we can think through the anxious groaning of the Christians. Thus the Lord, Luc. 18, 1. ff., gives a similitude of the widow, who would not let up, when the judge, who asked neither for God nor for man, said: "I can no longer suffer that the widow deceives me so; I will help her, so that I may get away from her and henceforth be overtaken by the constant running. "But should not God," says Christ, "also save his elect who call to him day and night, and should have patience over them? I tell you, he will save them in a little while." As if he wanted to say: Prayer makes God haste, otherwise he would not be so hastened.
(22) Therefore prayer serves that one may obtain a thing the sooner, which otherwise would be delayed longer. So that this example serves that we should be impudent beggars and learn to be horny, and not let ourselves be weary.
but say, "Lord, it is true that I am a poor, unworthy sinner, and I know it well, but nevertheless I must have this and that. I have a wife and child, and have not that I may feed them; Lord, give me! Item, I am sad, I need your comfort; Lord, you comfort! For here it is not a matter of dispute whether I am pious; a few things are enough, that I am needy, and thou wilt gladly give me that which is profitable for my body and soul.
(23) So if you pray and hold fast, he will surely say to you, as to this blind man, "What do you want me to do? Be thou sighted; thy faith hath helped thee." For to pray and not to believe is to mock our Lord God. But faith alone is based on the fact that God, for the sake of Christ, His Son and our Lord, will be gracious to us, hear us, protect us, save us and make us blessed. May our dear Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus, help us to do this, Amen.