A CUP OF WATER

A cup of water, said Luther, if a man can have no better, is good to quench the thirst.

A morsel of bread stilleth the hunger, and he that hath need seeketh earnestly thereafter.

So Christ is the best, surest, and only physic against the most fearful enemy of mankind, the devil, but they believe it not with their hearts.

If they knew a physician who lived above one hundred miles off, that could prevent or drive away temporal death, oh, how diligently would he be sent for!

No money nor cost would be spared.

Hence it appears how abominably human nature is spoiled and blinded; yet, notwithstanding, the small and little heap do stick fast to the true Physician, and by this art do learn that which the holy old Simeon well knew, from whence he joyfully sang,

“Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation,” etc., therefore death became his sleep; but from whence came his great joy?

Because that with spiritual and corporeal eyes he saw the Saviour of the world—he saw the true Physician against sin and death.

Therefore it is a great trouble to behold how desirous a thirsty body is of drink, or one that is hungry of food, whereas a cup of water, a morsel of bread, can still hunger and thirst no longer than two or three hours, but no man, or very few, are desirous, or do long after the most precious Physician, although he lovingly calleth and allureth all to come unto him, and saith,

“He that is athirst, let him come to me and drink” (John vii.); so, “He that believeth in me, from his body shall flow streams of living water.”

Martin Luther. Selections from the Table Talk of Martin Luther