“Where many before and after Luther taught this commandment by focusing on particular days, observances, and act (working), Luther focuses narrowly in his catechetical explanation on hearing the Word of God (resting).”

“Thus, God’s name is always associated with his saving activity and his personal presence. Wherever God’s name dwells, he is there. And wherever God’s name is applied, forgiveness, life, and salvation are given.”

“By placing the Law in the first place, Luther is not thereby indicating that the Law is the chief or primary thing for the Christian to be concerned with. Neither does Luther consider the Law something that is terribly unique to Christianity nor the thing that makes Christianity what it is. Rather, God’s word of Law appears first because the Law is the first Word that man encounters, what Werner Elert calls the “primal experience” of man.”

“My invitation as such is to become a child with me and to learn the ABCs; to equip ourselves with everything for salvation; to take hold of our great compass, field guide, and life book; and to learn what God hasn’t tired of teaching his people since the beginning— how to live, what to believe, how to pray, how to suffer, and how to die.”