Special and chosen sermons of D. Martin Luther collected out of his writings and…

When Thomas thus confesseth that he is ignorant whither the Lord goeth, neither knoweth the way, the Lord doth not rebuke him with a stern countenance, neither by and by casteth ⟨p. 476⟩him of, nor driveth him from him, he calleth him not either a gross ass or ox, as we are wont to handle the weak, but answering him very gently,¹ saith: I am the way, the truth, and the life. I, saith the Lord, am the way, by which the father is gone unto, albeit I be slain: I carry them that believe and are my sheep, on my shoulders to the Father: no other way beside this leadeth unto heaven. He that walketh not this way, goeth out of the way from the Father. I also am the truth. For I am the light which lighteneth the world, and I teach true doctrine, and make true Christians. Moreover, I also am the life, for it is I that quicken, he that believeth in me shall not dye. This, as I said before, is to teach the Gospel rightly, that is, to show the true and right way, which leadeth unto eternal life. When the Disciples knew not the way that leadeth unto glory, the Lord making no delay, affirmeth unto them that he is that way. As if he should say: If ye desire to know the way to glory, seek not the strength, light, and righteousness of creatures, but look unto me: for I am the way, the truth, and the life, although I must be put to death, although I am vile and of no reputation according to the outward appearance: neither let this offend you, that they which be mine, are subject to persecutions. The right way to the father is found in me, let none remove you from this persuasion. Therefore he saith moreover:

When Thomas thus confesseth that he is ignorant whither the Lord goeth, neither knoweth the way, the Lord doth not rebuke him with a sterne countenance, neither by and by casteth ⟨p. 476⟩him of, nor driueth him frō him, he calleth him not either a grosse asse or oxe, as we are wont to handle the weake, but aunswering him very gently,¹ sayth: I am the vvay, the truth, and the life. I, sayth the Lord, am the way, by which the father is gone vnto, albeit I be slayne: I cary them that beleeue and are my sheepe, on my shoulders to the Father: no other way beside this leadeth vnto heauen. He that walketh not this way, goeth out of the way from the Father. I also am the truth. For I am the light which lightneth the worlde, and I teach true doctrine, and make true Christians. Moreouer, I also am the life, for it is I that quicken, he that beleeueth in me shall not dye. This, as I sayd before, is to teach the Gospell rightly, that is, to shew the true and right way, which leadeth vnto eternall life. When the Disciples knew not the way that leadeth vnto glory, the Lorde making no delay, affirmeth vnto them that he is that way. As if he should say: If ye desire to know the way to glory, seeke not the strength, light, and righteousnes of creatures, but looke vnto me: for I am the way, the truth, and the life, although I must be put to death, although I am vile and of no reputation according to the outward appearance: neither let this offend you, that they which be mine, are subiect to persecutions. The right way to the father is found in me, let none remoue you from this perswasion. Therefore he sayth moreouer: