Part 1933

u delightest not in sacrifice; else would I give it: thou has no pleasure in burnt-offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart , O God, thou wilt not despise.” * 19 * In this confidence and hope let thy faith run its course, to acknowledge God as thy friend, to cleave to him in the greatest need, to flee to him, and to no one else. Believe it and expect it, then he will help thee, this thou shouldst not doubt; therefore in harmony with this, thou shouldst serve thy neighbor freely and gratuitously. These two thoughts are presented to us in this Gospel. [[Luther published two sermons for Mark 8:1-9. One can be found in the electronic version in verses 1-4 (or Mt 15:29-34); the other in verses 5-9 (or Mt 15:35-39).]] * 1 * To-day’s Gospel presents to us again both the doctrine and the consolation against the temptation in caring for the necessaries of this life, or the temporal support and maintenance of the Church upon the earth. And faith belongs here since Christ came not for the purpose of establishing a government that may be called a political or a domestic kingdom, which were long ago established by God and given for the purpose of meeting our bodily needs. And reason itself here teaches how and from what source we can bring it to pass that everyone in his station may enjoy a livelihood, peace and protection, so that one may see before his eyes and have in his hands all the necessaries of life that he needs to maintain the temporal government. Therefore this did not claim the attention of Christ since it was not a part of his calling and office; but as his kingdom was to be a different government, in which all persons in all callings and offices, high and low, as sinners condemned before God to everlasting death, should be helped to the divine, eternal kingdom and life; the spiritual kingdom had to engage his attention while he passed by the other two, the civil, and the domestic. * 2 * Therefore it had to follow