+ Reformation Sunday (observed) – October 28th, 2018 +
Revelation 14:6-7; Romans 3:19-28; John 8:31-36
Beautiful Savior Lutheran, Milton
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
We’ve probably all walked in on our family, friends, or coworkers having an argument. It feels like you’re at Wimbledon. Words flying back and forth faster than Roger Federer’s serve. Tension increasing with each volley. Emotions bursting with forehand-like power.
In John 8:31-36, we walk into the middle of an argument that’s been intensifying since Jesus began his public ministry; here in chapters 7 and 8 of John’s gospel it explodes. The Jews pepper Jesus with questions: Who are you? What signs do you do? Who is your father? And Jesus answers them repeatedly. I AM the Bread of Life. I AM the Light of the World. Before Abraham was, I AM.
This is more than an argument among friends. It is a war of words. A battle between faith that clings to the words of Jesus, and faith that clings to the flesh, to the family tree of Abraham.
If you abide in my word you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free?’”
Centuries later, the conflict continued in the town of Wittenberg, Germany, and in the heart, mind, and pen of a priest and professor named Martin Luther. In many ways, the Lutheran Reformation was a war of words as well. A battle over the question, “How is one saved?” Free forgiveness in the name of Jesus or forgiveness bought and sold in the name of the pope.
Luther found the answers to his questions in the same place Jesus pointed the Jews in John 8. Not in the works of the flesh, not in the family tree of Abraham, but in the faith of Abraham. In the Word that declares us righteous. In the Word that proclaims God justifies the ungodly and dwells with and for sinners. In God’s Word that creates faith. If you abide in my word you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
Now 501 years after Luther posted those 95 Theses on the church door in Wittenberg, we find ourselves on the same battlefield surrounded and outnumbered by our enemies. The devil’s lies and temptations. The fallen world’s false hopes and fleeting comforts. Our own doubting, despairing, desiring sinful flesh. Like the Jews in John, we are salves of sin. Even on Reformation Sunday, it’s tempting boast in ourselves: “We’re descendants of Luther and no one is as righteous as we.” If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
It is for us, as it was in Luther’s day, and in Jesus’ day…a war of words. A war that, if left to ourselves, would be lost. But where our words fail us, Jesus’ Word frees, forgives, and saves us. For us fights the Valiant One, we sing. Jesus abides with us in our sin to save us.
If you abide in my word you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
Everything in this fight hinges on that word: abide.
It’s an important word in John’s Gospel. It means to live, dwell, or lodge; to stay, remain, and continue. The Spirit abided on Jesus at his baptism (1:32-33). Jesus’ word is abidingin those who believe (5:38). Jesus says those who eat and drink his body and blood abidein him (6:56). Jesus declares that the Spirit of truth abides in us (14:17) and bears much fruit through us (15:4-16).
This is what it means to be a disciple, to read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest Jesus’ Word. To live daily in prayer and study of his Word. To follow where Jesus leads us and abides with us: faith in Jesus and love for others. And to pray, “Lord, forgive us when we fail to abide in Your Word.”
Jesus says we abide in him as a branch abides in the vine and draws life from it. Cut off from the branch we’re fruitless and dead. Where Jesus abides with us we’re fruitful and alive. We don’t find God by looking up into heaven, Luther once said, but by looking down to where Jesus abides with us and for us. In the manger. On the cross. In humble water, words, bread, and wine.
Jesus abides with us in the water and word of Baptism declaring us sons and heirs in his house. Jesus abides with us in his promise of absolution: you’re forgiven and set free by the blood of Jesus. Jesus abides with us in his body and blood which abides in the bread and wine for our forgiveness. Jesus abides with us in that simple, yet saving Word that Luther rediscovered…Jesus became the slave to set us free. Jesus let all our pride, despair, doubt, pain, sin, and death abide with him on the cross, so that we would abide with him forever. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
The war of words ended with Jesus’ final words on the cross: “It is finished.” Jesus’ death and resurrection were the final blow, a grand slam to our opponents of sin, death, and Satan. Game. Set. Match. Sin is forgiven. Death is dead. The devil is defeated. You are free. Jesus abides with you. And you abide in Jesus.
A blessed Reformation Sunday to each of you…
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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