Reformation Sunday, Oct, 25, 2026
NOTE: On this Sunday, we will observe Reformation Day. This is the day when Martin Luther nailed the discussion topics on the door of a church. Also, I am going to change the order, putting the gospel reading second, and the reading from Romans last. This reading from Romans is a fitting way to finish this week’s study, and celebrate the spirit of the Reformation.
JEREMIAH 31:31-34
THE BACKGROUND
The prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel lived about the same timeframe. Ezekiel was deported to Babylon along with many other Judeans. Jeremiah remained in Jerusalem, tending to the spiritual needs of those remaining. If they were alive today, they would be communicating by email and having Zoom meetings on a regular basis. Back then, however, communication was quite a bit slower. But remarkably, their message to the people of God was very similar, as we will see. After all, they were both God’s spokesmen; the source of the message was the same. Today’s passage from Jeremiah comes from his “Book of Consolation” that we discussed last week. It is a message of hope and renewal.
THE DETAIL
- Jeremiah assures the people in exile, both from Israel and Judah, that better days are coming. God will make a new covenant with his people. It won’t be like the old covenant. They broke that one many, many times. Time for something new. (vv. 31-32)
- This new covenant won’t just be written down in a temple somewhere, it will be written on the hearts of the people. There will be an intimate relationship between God and his people. (v. 33)
- We won’t have to learn things about God anymore, because all of us will know it all! (vv. 34-35a)
- Best of all, God will not only forgive our sins, but He will forget all about them. (v. 35b)
THE TAKEAWAY
The word “covenant” and “testament” mean the same thing. It is easy to conclude that God’s “New Covenant (Testament)” is realized in the life, death, and resurrection of his son Jesus. Is this what it meant to Jeremiah’s listeners, or did it mean something else to them? The short answers are no and yes. Can it be both? Maybe!
NO
The people of Jeremiah’s time had troubles of their own. Jerusalem and it’s society was ripped apart by foreign pagans. It was a time of desperation and hopelessness. God had not yet put forth the idea of a Messiah. Instead, Jeremiah’s message from God was that God wanted to have a close-knit relationship with them. God was not interested in worship, at least when it was not from the heart. Ezekiel 36:24-28 gives the people under Ezekiel’s care the same message. God wants an intimate, loving relationship. The message is the same in that passage and this one—Israel and Judah will be restored one day. When they are, God’s law will be written on everyone’s hearts. Sins will be forgiven and forgotten.
YES
Centuries later, God sent His only son to walk the earth with us. Jesus taught us his Father’s will, when he spoke his Sermon on the Mount, and when he taught us parables about the kingdom of God. Then, he died for our sins. So, the life of God’s son was the final chapter in Jeremiah’s prophecy. Jeremiah most certainly did not know that part of the story. But he most certainly knew the hope and promise that God gave his people in captivity.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
It is one thing to forgive someone for what they have done. It is quite another to forget about it forever. God promises to both forgive our sins and forget them! We receive this free gift because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Since we are to be like Jesus to those around us, we must not only forgive those who wrong us, but forget about it as well.
JOHN 8:31-36
THE BACKGROUND
At this point in John’s Gospel, Jesus had been gathering disciples, and teaching those around him. Teaching and clarifying God’s will for the people was one of Jesus’ main missions. For the most part, Jesus taught to the Jews. Jesus and the twelve apostles were also Jews. He did, of course, occasionally reach out to the Gentiles, but most of his ministry was to his fellow Jews. In the gospels, “the Jews” often refers to those who resisted or challenged him. In today’s reading, however, the term refers to the followers of Jesus.
THE DETAIL
- Jesus makes a statement to start a discussion. He is teaching “the Jews who had believed in him”. This could have been the twelve apostles or others who were his followers. John does not specify. Jesus tells them that if they “continue in his word, they will be free”. (vv. 31-32)
- The disciples immediately think that Jesus is talking about slavery (which he is, sort of). Slavery was commonplace at that time; about 40% of the population were slaves. The disciples state that they have never been slaves, since they are the descendants of Abraham. I guess they forgot about Egypt and also that they were subject to the Romans who had conquered them. (v. 33)
- Next, Jesus drives his point home. We are all slaves—to sin. But the good news is that if we “continue in his word” (from verse 32), we are set free from the slavery of sin. (vv. 34-36)
THE TAKEAWAY
For those of us who love and follow Jesus, we are freed of the sin that enslaves us. We are truly free to be Children of God!
ROMANS 3:19-28
THE BACKGROUND
I like to read the first three chapters of Paul’s letter to the Romans as one big unit. You could skip the greeting, and begin with 1:16. Keep in mind that the church in Rome was made up of both Jewish and Gentile Christians. One thing I like to do is substitute two words for words in the text. When Paul says “Jews”, I substitute my church denomination. This comes to a head in Romans 2:17a & 21 and the verses following:
17a But if you call yourself a Jew [substitute Lutheran, Baptist, or other denomination]… 21 you then, who teach others, will you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? [The list continues in the verses that follow.]
When he says “Greeks”, I substitute a denomination other than my own. This makes it more current and real; I believe that it is closer to what Paul was trying to say.
Anyway, in the first three chapters of Romans, Paul presents a panoramic view of the sinfulness of all mankind. He starts with pagan idol worship, but slowly turns the gun around, aiming squarely at the Jews and Greeks [Lutherans, Baptists, Presbyterians, etc.]. There’s no escaping it—we are all a sorry, sinful lot.
There is one more thing. The word “justification” in this context is a legal term. When someone was accused of a crime, and was in court, they could explain why they did what they did. If the judge believed that their actions were acceptable, he would claim that the defendant’s action was “justified”, and the charges would be dropped.
THE DETAIL
- When Paul talks about “the law”, he referring to Jewish law. You know, like the 10 commandments, and all the detailed laws in Deuteronomy and Leviticus. Paul states here (and elsewhere) that the purpose of the law is to make us accountable to the point that we shut our mouths in guilt. The law is there to provide us of this knowledge (vv. 19-20)
- Paul now sets the law aside, and talks about what God has done for us (God’s righteousness). In fact, all the prophets were like weathervanes, pointing to this righteous act. (v. 21)
- The righteous act that we are talking about is the gift of God’s own son, for all who believe. (v. 22)
- Paul reminds us again that we have all sinned. (v. 23)
- The Good News is that by God’s grace, our actions have been “justified”/forgiven. It is God’s action that does this, not our own actions. It is a free gift. (v. 24)
- During Paul’s time, and earlier, the high priest would make a blood sacrifice for the peoples’ sins. God himself made a blood sacrifice of his son’s blood for our sin. We, too, receive this atonement through faith in Jesus. (v. 25)
- God did this to show that He is a righteous God. He loves us so much that He did this for us. (v. 26)
- So, what have you got to brag about? Can you brag that you are a Jew, or a Greek, or a Baptist or a Lutheran? Can we brag about being good or doing good deeds? Paul emphatically says “NO!” God has all the bragging rights. (v. 27)
- Salvation comes not from keeping God’s rules, but by living our lives in faith. It is a free gift from our Father in heaven. (v. 28)
THE TAKEAWAY
Verses 23 and 24 are at the heart of this passage. Paul makes his two main points:
- Everyone is a sinner. Nobody measures up to God’s expectations.
- For those who have faith in Jesus, all our sins are justified and forgiven as a free gift from God.
This gift of forgiveness is free to those who have faith in Jesus. Later in Paul’s letter, he uses the phrase “free gift” often. (5:15, 5:16, 5:17, 6:23) All you need to “do” to claim your free gift is to believe in Jesus!
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
When someone gives you a precious gift, how do you express your gratitude? Should we not express more gratitude to God for his free gift of salvation? How do we share this free gift with others?
