The Table Talk readings for this week are taken from the section entitled Of Jesus Christ. All quotes are from an early 20th century edition, translated by William Hazlitt, Esquire. The original was written in 1566.“There is but one God,” says St. Paul, “and one mediator between God and man; namely, the man Jesus Christ, who gave himself a ransom for all.” Therefore, let no man think to draw near unto God, or obtain grace of him, without this mediator, high-priest, and advocate.
It follows that we cannot through our good works, honesty of life, virtues, deserts, sanctity, or through the works of the law, appease God’s wrath, or obtain forgiveness of sins; and that all deserts of saints are quite rejected and condemned, so that through them no human creature can be justified before God. Moreover, we see how fierce God’s anger is against sins, seeing that by none other sacrifice or offering could they be appeased and stilled, but by the precious blood of the Son of God.
The conversation of Christ with his disciples, when he took his leave of them at his last supper, was most sweet, loving, and friendly, talking with them lovingly, as a father with his children, when he must depart from them. He took their weakness in good part, and bore with them, though now and then their discourse was very full of simplicity; as when Philip said; “Show us the Father.” And Thomas: “We know not the way.” And Peter: “I will go with thee into death.” Each freely showing the thoughts of his heart. Never, since the world began, was a more precious, sweet, and amiable conversation.
Christ had neither, money, nor riches, nor earthly kingdom, for he gave the same to kings and princes. But he reserved one thing peculiarly to himself, which no human creature or angel could do --- namely, to conquer sin and death, the devil and hell, and in the midst of death to deliver and save those that through his Word believe in him.
Nothing is more sure than this: he that does not take hold on Christ by faith, and comfort himself herein, that Christ is made a curse for him, remains under the curse. The more we labor by works to obtain grace, the less we know how to take hold on Christ; for where he is not known and comprehended by faith, there is not to be expected either advice, help, or comfort, though we torment ourselves to death.
We should consider the histories of Christ three manner of ways; first as a history of acts or legends; secondly, as a gift or a present; thirdly, as an example, which we should believe and follow.
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