From these and similar words and admonitions of Christ we should also learn to know
the Lord Christ aright, to develop a more cordial and comforting confidence in Him,
and to pay more regard to His Word than to anything else which may confront our
eyes, ears, and other senses. For if I am a Christian and hold to Him, I always know
that He is talking to me. And here and elsewhere I learn that all His words are
intended to comfort me; yes, that all He says, does, and thinks is nothing but
friendly and consoling words and works. Therefore it is undoubtedly true that
mourning and a faint and fearful heart do not come from Christ. For He is not one to
intimidate hearts and make them sad and despondent. He came, labored, and ascended into heaven to banish sadness and fear from the heart and to bestow, instead, a cheerful heart, conscience, and mind. To this end He promises to send His disciples and the Christians the Holy Spirit, whom He calls the Comforter. Through Him Christ wants to fortify and keep His disciples after His physical departure from them. Happy is he who can learn this and really take to heart Christ’s statement and
testimony that it grieves Him sorely when He sees a Christian’s heart sad or frightened.
Martin Luther
