October 31 is now Halloween; but in the Lutheran church, it is the 504th anniversary of the beginning of the Lutheran Reformation, when Martin Luther posted on a church door (the "internet" in those days) in Germany 95 Theses, statements about church beliefs that he thought ought to be discussed. Eventually, out of that discussion came the Lutheran church. The Scriptural readings for this Sunday help us reflect on some of the key Biblical ideas that Lutherans emphasize.
The first lesson is...
October 31 is now Halloween; but in the Lutheran church, it is the 504th anniversary of the beginning of the Lutheran Reformation, when Martin Luther posted on a church door (the "internet" in those days) in Germany 95 Theses, statements about church beliefs that he thought ought to be discussed. Eventually, out of that discussion came the Lutheran church. The Scriptural readings for this Sunday help us reflect on some of the key Biblical ideas that Lutherans emphasize.
The first lesson is not from the Old Testament, but from the last book of the New Testament, Revelation 14:6-7. Here is a prophecy of an “angel” (a messenger) proclaiming an “eternal Gospel” to everyone on earth. “Worship” must be in God and His Word, not based on the ideas of human beings. Only then, trusting that Word from God, are we ready for the return of the Lord and the “Day of Judgment.”
The Psalm is Psalm 46, which reminds us that “God is our Refuge and Strength, a very present Help” in all the troubles and challenges we face in our lives. He is with us and like a “fortress” for us, helping us to deal with all our fears, as we trust in Him. This psalm was a great inspiration for Luther in writing his hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is our God.”
The Epistle lesson is Romans 3:19-28, a key passage that helped Luther and helps us to understand that we can never be justified, acceptable and right with God, by our own efforts to do enough good to please God. Instead, the Law of God “shuts our mouths” and shows us what sinners we really are. It was Jesus Who was perfectly good and righteous in our place and Who redeemed us by paying for all our sins on the cross. We are justified simply “by faith in Jesus, apart from works” that we have done to keep the Law.
There are two choices for the Gospel lesson. The first is John 8:31-36. Jesus told believers, “If you abide in My Word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” Jesus was speaking of slavery to sin and the condemnation for sin, a problem for everyone, from which only Jesus could set people free. He is “the Way and the Truth and the Life” (John 14:6); and only through “faith in Him” are people “free indeed” and heirs of eternal life.
The other Gospel reading is from Matthew 11:12-19. Jesus is speaking here, too, and says that those in “the kingdom of heaven” by faith, while still here on earth, often “suffer violence.” It was true for John the Baptist and is true for Jesus, also, because people are often like selfish children, wanting what they want instead of what God wants for them in John and especially in Christ. But the “wisdom of God” would ultimately show itself and be “justified” (shown to be true) in the saving work of Jesus. Jesus Himself is later called “the Power of God and the Wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:24).
All these are truths we still try to proclaim to the world, as Lutherans.
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