10.25.2026 - Reformation Sunday - Pastor Chris
I have heard some joke that this Sunday is the Lutheran’s version of homecoming. Outside of Lutheran churches, I’m not sure if Reformation Sunday is a thing. The Sunday when we wear red and belt out the classic Lutheran hymn, A Mighty Fortress. But why is this Sunday so important? Us Lutherans have some pride (maybe too much) in old Martin. This guy who stood up to the only church of his day, the Church in Rome, and helped the church rediscover this crucial concept of Grace. It seems as if grace had left the church (or the church forgot about grace) and all of a sudden Christians dont get to Heaven because of Jesus, but by the good works that they accomplish and only once they have done enough, can salvation be theirs. Martin was so angry with this concept he wrote 95 reasons why it is wrong!
Enough about Martin, lets talk about this reading from John. Of the four gospels John is the most complex. Christology is John’s focus. As Jesus is speaking to those who believe in him, they seem confused when he says that because of him they are no longer slaves. Their understanding is very literal; they aren’t in chains, they aren’t owned by someone, how could they be slaves. In the first testament of the Bible, the law is what makes a person righteous, in good standing with God, but because of Jesus the law has been fulfilled and we are set free from the shackles of the law. Grace has set us free. The Romans reading is equally as connected to Martin’s concept of
saved by grace through faith. Paul writes we are justified by Grace.
We live in a world where we have been conditioned to believe that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. We have been told “there’s no such thing as a free lunch” and to watch out for the fine print and attached strings. So, how can we accept this free gift that seems too good to be true? Well, do we know how much we need it? In the age of Christ we know that it isn’t the Law that makes us righteous, but the law still exists. The law reveals to us that we are imperfect, that we have made mistakes. It is in this state when we understand our need for grace and the power of unconditional love.
But at the same time, may we never take this gift for granted. May we never turn it into a
get out of jail free card. May we always remember at what cost this gift was given. May this understanding lead to a new way of living, a life lived in response to the gift of grace.
