Did you know that October 31st marks the 507th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation? I’m sure you remember, Martin Luther a monk and priest serving in the Church of Rome wished to speak on some matters that were concerning him as it pertained to the current teaching of the church. To get the attention of Church leaders and theologians, Luther nailed 95 statements to the church door in Wittenberg Germany (It was kind of like a blog page today– I guess).
Unfortunately, the Church of Rome didn’t respond favorably, but Luther insisted, persisted and stood his ground! And while there were many matters heavy on Luther’s heart (indulgences, power, etc.), at the end of the day he wished for the church to be drawn back to the TRUTH of the GOSPEL as found in GOD’S WORD ALONE. And what is that truth? JESUS! For Luther, It was all about Jesus and the free gifts of forgiveness and life he won for those who repent and believe in him. It was about justification and righteousness as an act of God in Christ. Luther wanted to draw the church back to that TRUTH and point them to the freedom and new life God’s intends through it.
Drawn back to the WORD…. Drawn back to the TRUTH of the Gospel…. Drawn to JESUS! Luther was on to something, frankly, HE NAILED IT!
And what a fitting message still today in this ever changing world we live in. How desperately we need to be drawn back to the Word, back to the truth of the Gospel…. BACK TO JESUS as the center of our lives and everything we do. When you think about it, so much got in the way of the church back in 1517; so much clouded their understanding and their view.
That’s true today too isn’t it? And yet we have a never changing Jesus who is the same yesterday, today and forever as the writer of the Book of Hebrews puts it. Friends, in the spirit of the Reformation I hope that we can be drawn back to what is most important– The Word which points us ALWAYS to JESUS! And as we are drawn back to the Word, I hope that we can see the beauty of our faith and the joy, hope, and peace it is intended to produce! As we are drawn back to the Word and as we see our Jesus so clearly, I hope that he can become the center of our lives thereby shaping our days– instead of allowing our days to shape how we view and understand him. With Jesus, the WORD FIRST and Center, everything changes!!! Don’t believe me, Just look at the Reformation!!!
Pastor Galen
