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Our Scripture meditation is based on John 8:31-36, from the Gospel lesson for next week. 

[31] So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, [32] and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” [33] 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’?” [34] Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. [35] The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. [36] So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Scripture meditations published for the coming week can help create a sense of anticipation for the next weekend. That’s one of my goals for this meditation, since next Sunday we celebrate the Reformation. 

Reformation Sunday gives thanks to God for a movement God started a little over 500 years ago. The movement truly is a “re-formation,” taking Christianity back to its original biblical roots. 

John chapter 8 is a most fitting gospel reading for Reformation. Due to our fallen natures, we have a desire to justify ourselves. When it comes to sin, we are tempted to justify ourselves before others and before God.

The Roman Catholic Church feeds into this fallen desire. It teaches that we must earn the merits of Christ’s forgiveness. Once we have paid off the debt of our sins through good works, we finally qualify for entering heaven. According to Catholicism, we spend our entire lives under God’s law.

In John chapter 8, we learn the law makes us slaves to sin. We cannot earn the forgiveness of our sins. We cannot absolve ourselves. We can’t even contribute to this cause.

John chapter 8 also reveals the power behind the Reformation. The Reformation returned us to the biblical understanding that God is the one who saves us. That is what is meant when Jesus said in verse 36: “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” In his death and resurrection Jesus earned the forgiveness of the sins of the world forever. In fact, we’re told Jesus died “once for all” in Romans chapter 6 and Hebrews chapter 7. There is nothing left to contribute for our forgiveness; our forgiveness is a gracious gift for Jesus’ sake. 

This is just a taste of what we will experience this weekend as we gather for worship, Bible study, and fellowship in our congregations.