#59 Part II: Allegory Explaining Deuteronomy 21:10ff:Finally, she must also “mourn her father and mother,” that is, she must grieve with fervent tears that, until now, she has followed her father, the devil, and her adulterous mother, this world, into sin. This mourning should last, not only for a month, but for the whole time of her life.
On the other hand, she must now learn to love her new Bridegroom. Then Christ will marry her. For He is the one who said about Himself in Matthew 9:13 that He has come as the heavenly Physician “to call sinners to repentance.” That is, He wants to be the Physician of the sick, the Life of the dead, the Shepherd of the wanderer, the Light of the blind, the Salvation of the sinner, and yet in such a way that they do not remain in sins but get up and hasten to Christ through repentance. For this is the way in which He calls sinners to Himself. Christ is the Physician, to be sure; but the sickness must be acknowledged, and the help of the Physician must be sought. Christ is the Life, to be sure; but one must hear His voice, by which the dying are made alive (John 5:25). Christ is the Shepherd, to be sure; but the wandering sheep must allow himself to be picked up and carried to the flock (Luke 15:5). Christ is the Light, to be sure; but one must get up from the sleep of sin. Then He will enlighten us (Eph. 5:14). Christ is the Salvation, to be sure; but He must be grasped with steadfast faith (1 Tim. 1:14).
The previously read Gospel {Luke 7:36-50} pertains to this, for in it the true and earnest repentance of a poor, very sinful woman is described, along with how she thereby obtained God’s grace, the forgiveness of sins, and eternal life with Christ. (Sermon for Mary Magdalene-July 22, Postilla Volume 3 by Johann Gerhard, Repristination Press, page 106-107)
