A little bit of Lutheran history…to go with the day…
In 1517, a monk and university professor and head theological chair, named Martin Luther – wished to have “a scholarly debate” concerning the topic of “indulgences.” It was no big thing.
“Indulgences” in the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church, was “a way to reduce the amount of punishment one has to undergo for their sins”
“Indulgences” reduced the time in purgatory or the time of suffering…
The “indulgences” were also a way of raising monies for the building and the reconstruction of St. Peter’s in Rome.
Luther wanted “indulgences” simply to be discussed. He did what any university professor would do…
He composed an invitation to debate and came up with 95 talking points concerning the “indulgences.”
The original title of the invitation was “Disputation of Martin Luther on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences,” but most people simply called it “The Ninety-Five Theses.”
On October 31, 1517, Luther sent copies of “The Ninety-Five Theses” to his own supervisor and to the archbishop who supervised the sale of indulgences.
Much to Luther’s surprise, the Ninety-Five “Theses” became very popular…
Within two weeks, copies of this document had spread throughout Germany; and within two months throughout Europe…
Printers began translating “The Ninety-Five Theses” from the original Latin into the local languages, printed, and widely copied them, making this one of the “first demonstrations of the power of the press…”
After Martin Luther died, some of his friends said – that he had also posted “The Ninety-Five Theses” on the university bulletin board … the front door of All Saints’ Church in Wittenberg on October 31, 1517 … the day before the Feast of All Saints on November 1.
This made a “certain amount of sense” because everyone involved with the university would attend services on “the Feast of All Saints” and see the invitation.
The doors of the church, because of the center location of the church in each city, also functioned as a “community news board, for all to see.”
Reformation is about returning to the “truth.” Essentially it is a back to the Bible movement. It is a return of the pendulum swing…
In the case of “government reform,” it is about getting rid of “corruption” and getting back to “the law of the land.”
In the case of religious reform, it is about “getting back to God’s word.”
In tonight’s reading from our Gospel text Jesus said, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Jesus makes it clear that “abiding in His Word” leads to truth and truth leads ultimately to freedom…
And therein…lies the problem…
We are not real good at “abiding.” We are not real good at sticking to things…focusing is a problem…
Remaining, enduring, lasting, persisting, prevailing, holding out, lingering, staying put, dwelling, residing, staying in the word… None of them – are we good at…
We change frequently. We are restless and we cannot sit still…
Some folks say, we are wishy washy and we never stay with anything for very long…commitment is not our forte…
Are we ever satisfied?
As a matter of fact, it is more the case that we go from “one thing to another,” with greater frequency…like channel surfing…
We are constantly in motion…
Constantly searching for the next thing…
The reason we “need constant reform” is that we are “sinful people” who live in a “sinful world” and we quite easily stray.
The evil one, the world, and our own sinful being constantly work to drag us away from the truth that sets us free…
As a result, we constantly stray away from God and His Word.
We know the importance of the word. We know the truth of the word. And yet, we do not dwell or reside or stay in the word.
We do not read the word. We do not meditate on the word.
As Isaiah wrote, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way.”
It has been said often that because we “constantly stray,” we need “constant reformation.”
Today is the day the Reformation began. It was essentially a back to God and back to the Bible movement.
We still need reform. We still need the word in our lives. And, it should be obvious to all, that the need for God is greater than ever.
The time to reform yourself is NOW!