If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. (Rom 6:5 NIV)

The apostle writes about the unity of Christians with their Lord’s death and resurrection. I know, that I deserve death. Yet, death that is awaiting me is of such a nature that I could never deal with it on my own in such a way as to write it off and finish with it. It would hold me for ever. As our holy God is utterly faithful and trustworthy both in his punishments as with his salvation, he has sent a substitute into this death for me – who dies vicariously, for me and in my place. AS he is innocent, he has achieved a salvation for me and others which suffices for eternal life. Something we would have missed out for sure on our own. By this godly and divine intervention we are judged to have been punished, crucified and killed with Christ and have also been resurrected and reborn to a new life with him. When we were born the bloody sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ was already there for us in our cradle. It is for us and for our salvation ever since! So since our conception we, who are children of sin and death, have the hope for salvation and eternal life through Jesus Christ and his vicarious satisfaction and liberation. If we have died with Christ, then he as our faithful Lord will not leave us standing half-way. Rather he will help us on to reach his final destination for us. Just as his death so also his life has profound influence on our lives. The unity with him carries with it a continual reduction and killing off of our old sinful being together with a vitalization and invigoration to live a better – god-pleasing – live in and with him.

To me He spake: Hold fast to Me, I am thy Rock and Castle; Thy Ransom I Myself will be, For thee I strive and wrestle; For I am with thee, I am thine, And evermore thou shalt be Mine; The Foe shall not divide us.

The Foe shall shed My precious blood, Me of My life bereaving. All this I suffer for thy good; Be steadfast and believing. Life shall from death the victory win, My innocence shall bear thy sin; So art thou blest forever.

Now to My Father I depart, The Holy Spirit sending And, heavenly wisdom to impart, My help to thee extending. He shall in trouble comfort thee, Teach thee to know and follow Me, And in all truth shall guide thee.

What I have done and taught, teach thou, My ways forsake thou never; So shall My kingdom flourish now And God be praised forever. Take heed lest men with base alloy The heavenly treasure should destroy; This counsel I bequeath thee. (Martin Luther 1483-1546 tr Richard Massie 1800-1887)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Tuesday after the sixth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 259 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.