“We must give ourselves wholly to this matter, for the main benefit of Christ’s passion is that man sees into his own true self and that he be terrified and crushed by this. Unless we seek that knowledge, we do not derive much benefit from Christ’s passion.”

Luther, Martin. “A Meditation on Christ’s Passion” (1519) Luther’s Works Vol. 42. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1969, page 10.

Comment: Here Luther says that the main benefit to us of Christ’s passion is the crushing of the Law. It comes down to the fact that if I had not sinned then Christ would not have had to suffer and die. The grace only benefits me after that.