John 8:31-36
Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, ‘You will be made free’?” Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:31-36 (NRSVUE)
Can you really follow a path or someone if you aren’t truly free? Hear me out!
I don’t know about you, but I have more than once found myself a bit lost in life.
Lost in the woods without cellphone service, thinking I knew the way out of a place I’ve never been. Loss of confidence or strength to do a task that I’ve done before, but cannot seem to muster up the courage to do. Lost to the ways of nice things or experiences, failing to recognize the importance of the simple things in life, like family and friends. Lost in my own false righteousness, thinking others are the “ones doing it wrong” and surely not me.
Ultimately, what we revere and hold to be most important or true is often what we in turn worship and follow. And by turning to follow one thing, we usually turn away from that which is true. This is what sin is.
On this Reformation and Confirmation Sunday, Southwood celebrates along with Lutheran and protestant churches across the world that as Lutheran Christians, we have been forgiven, freed, and sent out into the world because of God’s Grace.
The way, the truth, and the life, that is Jesus, who has freed us up to love and serve our neighbor. Martin Luther had a lot to say about this in his letter “On the Freedom of a Christian”, where he says, “A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none. A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject of all, subject to all.”
From Southwood’s 55 confirmands who are affirming their faith today, to the hundreds of people who every week hear the good news of God’s Grace, to the church universal who continues to echo God’s promises- We have been saved by God’s grace. We turn away from that might binds and blinds us and are freed up to love and serve others.
And now to leave you with this benediction that I heard throughout my childhood in worship for years, “Your sins are forgiven, your life is renewed, and you are empowered to be God’s servant in the world.”
Questions for Reflection:
- Have you ever been lost or caught up in your own way? How have you been freed up?
- Where and how do you most hear or see the good news of God in your life?
Prayer:
God of Grace,
Forgive us. Gift us with your Grace. Send us out into this world to love and serve you and others.
Amen.
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