John 8:31-36
By the Son Alone!
“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you...” Every time someone is arrested, they’re read this very statement. While we know that this is a right for all of us, for those who find themselves in the back of a cop car, it can act more like a very good recommendation. Yes, we know this to be true in everyday life as well. Sometimes, the best thing to do when you’re in trouble is to stay silent. Don’t dig yourself a larger hole. When anyone is caught in a lie, our first instinct is to lie again to try to cover up the first one. Then the second lie needs a third lie... and so on and so forth. Yes, we have this knack for saying far more than we should when we’ve messed up, not because we think we can talk ourselves out of trouble, but because we think we can justify our actions to somehow make them seem ok. It’s the common human thought of, “If I can simply explain why I cheated, then everyone will understand and it will all be ok.” But there’s a little secret to this... it never works. Yes, trying to justify ourselves and our actions will inevitably lead us to condemn ourselves even more. Anything you say can... and will be used against you. For let’s consider the “courtroom” of faith. You’re the one who’s standing trial. You’re the one who’s being charged with the crimes. And the prosecutor... the devil... has all the evidence in the world to convict you. But he looks to you and asks, “Do you have anything else to say?”
On this day as we remember the Reformation, we need to have a crystal-clear picture of how our sin and faith are adjudicated before the throne of God. For let us turn to our Gospel lesson as Jesus teaches us about the one who stands by our side in this case. We shouldn’t be looking anywhere else for our freedom but to him who stands beside us... so let us learn today:
COUNT ON NO ONE BUT THE SON TO SET YOU FREE!
I.
As Lutherans, there’s no doubt that we’re all very thankful for the acts and legacy of Martin Luther. We celebrate this day every year when Luther nailed the ninety-five theses to the church door in Wittenberg. However, we must admit that there’s a somberness to this day as well. I find it troubling when asking someone what they believe and their first response being, “Oh, I’m Lutheran. Or I’m Methodist, or I’m Catholic.” As Paul once wrote, “What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” 1 Corinthians 1:12-13. Our churchly divisions are troubling on this side of heaven, even as we know that they’re by no means insignificant. For let me say that I don’t think Luther is waiting for you at the pearly gates. For that matter, neither is Calvin or the Pope. When we face the divine judge, telling God what church you’re associated with won’t get you very far.
If we want to be able to stand tall before the eternal Judge, we need to be crystal-clear about our earthly situation. Hear Jesus’ words, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever,” John 8:34-35. Everyone who commits a sin is a slave to sin. Guess what? That’s you and me. That’s all of us in this room. Every person that has ever been born is guilty concerning sin. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23. Yes, when we stand before our judge in heaven, we all do so being guilty of all charges. Satan has had his way with us in this world. As Luther writes so well in our hymn, “The old evil foe now means deadly woe; deep guile and great might are his dread arms in fight; on earth is not his equal.” We have no hope of facing our adversary, the devil. He’s the prosecutor in our case and he’s come with all the evidence he needs. So don’t think that anything you say can dig you out of this hole. Nor is there any amount of good that can outweigh the bad. It doesn’t work that way. If we’ve broken one law, we’ve broken them all. For just one sin is worthy of eternal damnation.
II.
Perhaps though, this is the one thing from the Reformation which is indispensable. For we call ourselves Lutherans not because we’re indebted to Luther, nor do we agree with every word he says. We call ourselves Lutherans because of what Martin Luther taught. Go back to the courtroom scene that I had painted for you at the start. You’re the one who’s standing trial. The devil is there as the prosecutor and God is the judge. But who’s your attorney? It’s Jesus! Jesus is the one who stands by your side. Jesus is the one who speaks on your behalf. Jesus is the one who can set you free. “One little word can fell him.” Here Jesus is in the courtroom and he asks to approach the bench. Jesus and the devil go up while you’re stuck back in your seat. Jesus leans in and whispers one word to the judge. At that, the devil turns around and slams his books closed and starts packing up. The Judge takes his gavel and bangs on the podium to get everyone’s attention. The judge then announces that you are innocent and are to be set free! As Jesus said, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed,” John 8:36.
This is the doctrine of justification which Luther rediscovered. You’re justified, or declared innocent and righteous before the judge, not because of anything you have done, said, or promise to do. You’re declared righteous solely by the grace of almighty God. Justification is one-hundred percent God’s work. For this would be the final part of the court scene. After the judge declares you innocent, you turn to look and see your attorney being taken into custody on your behalf. Jesus hands himself over for your sins. Jesus willingly takes your place and accepts the punishment for your sins. For the Reformation wasn’t about sticking it to the pope, nor articulating doctrine better. It was about giving people Jesus Christ crucified for your sins! Thus, if Christ has died for you, then there’s nothing more that needs to be done. If Christ has taken all of your sins, then the only thing left to be done is say “thank you!” All people have fallen short because of their sins “and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” Romans 3:24.
So dear brothers and sisters in Christ, look not to your church attendance, nor to your good works, nor to anything within yourself. Rather, look to Jesus Christ crucified for you who has paid the punishment for all your sins and now declares you righteous before God! In Jesus’ name! Amen!