Jesus Assures Me of My Salvation Through His Last Will and Testament

Budapest is one of the most interesting tourist destinations in eastern Europe. It is a beautiful city, with the Danube River running through the middle of town. It is also of interest to Lutherans since a Lutheran Museum is in Budapest. This museum has many items detailing the history of Lutheranism in Hungary, but it also has several original documents from the pen of Martin Luther. One of these documents is his Last Will and Testament.
We all hear about the importance of having a will today, but it was important in Luther’s day as well. Luther was not keen on the idea of writing a will, but concern for his wife led him to do it. The laws of those days were not favorable toward wives. Children were given the bulk of the estate, so widows had to depend on their generosity for survival. Luther wanted to be certain that his wife would be self-sufficient, so he indicated a desire to make her the “universal heiress” of his estate. His will reflected this sentiment. We can’t imagine how relieved Katie Luther must have been when Luther’s will was certified after his death. She was certain she would not have to worry about her earthly existence. Her husband was gone, but he had provided for her. If she ever questioned that fact, she could just pick up the document and read it. The proof was there in black and white.
Martin Luther assured his wife of his love by leaving his Last Will and Testament. Our Lord Jesus has done the same thing for us. In the Scriptures our Lord tells us, “God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him would not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). This is His gracious promise of forgiveness and salvation for all who believe in Him. Jesus is not currently present in human form to repeat this promise to us. We might wonder whether this promise will be fulfilled, especially when we see sin and death all around us. We also look into our own hearts and recognize that we have disobeyed our heavenly Father and do not deserve to enter into His presence.
Jesus left us His Last Will and Testament to assure us of our salvation. He delivered it to His disciples the night before His death. While observing the Passover He took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to His disciples saying, “Take and eat. This is My body.” Then He took the cup, gave thanks and gave it to them saying, “Drink of it, all of you. For this is My blood of the New Testament, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:26–27). The next day Jesus died on the cross, putting His Will into effect.
The Scriptures record our Savior’s Last Will and Testament in writing, but He also invites us to come to the Supper often to receive His body and blood with the visible elements of bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins. Luther’s Small Catechism tells us, “For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation” (An Explanation of Dr. Martin Luther’s Small Catechism, 2001, p. 24).
Before His ascension our Lord told His disciples (of every age) that He was going to prepare a place for them (John 14:2). The Sacrament of the Altar, Jesus’ Last Will and Testament, assures us we will receive our eternal inheritance in heaven.
(Scripture passages from AAT.)
Matthew Luttman is pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Vero Beach, Florida.