There was the same need in your life, and all peoples’ lives, of being led from darkness into the light. For you personally, it came through your Baptism, or through your conversion through the hearing of God’s Word. Through those means, the Holy Spirit enabled you to see, see that in Jesus there’s no need to be fearful of God. He has made payment for all sins. He has opened God’s kingdom for you to enter without the doing of any works, without the further payment of any indulgence. Forgiveness for your sins was all that you needed; and you have it fully and freely in Jesus. God be praised.

“If you hold to my teaching…the truth will set you free.” That’s what Jesus says in our text. In studying the Psalms, Luther learned that God is not merely an angry judge who wants to punish people for their sins, but rather a merciful God who wants to give people His righteousness. In studying Paul’s letter to the Romans, Luther found that salvation is by God’s grace alone through faith in Christ. God gives us faith through His Word and in baptism. He preserves that faith in us as we receive the Lord’s Supper.