Reformation         October 28, 2007

This Sunday, we Lutherans celebrate Reformation Sunday, and remember the day Martin Luther started the Reformation. On Oct. 31, Luther announced his complaints by posting the 95 Thesis on the Door of the Church at Wittenberg. He chose what Halloween because it is All Hallow’s Eve, the Day before All Saints Day. He chose that day to make the point that he wanted to church to get back to its historical roots. What Luther did marked a change that effected the history of Europe. Today it’s good for us to remember our roots, too.

Today is the day we are also having confirmation for two of our youth, Joe and Jordan. In confirmation, we are affirming God’s covenant with us in our baptism, and they are going to promise to live in that covenant. They are going to say the words “yes, by the help of God.”

Yes, Zoe and Jordan, I know you are nervous. You are going to take your stand and make your claim in the Christian Faith in front of the whole congregation, and before God. It helps to remember that Luther was nervous too, when he said, “Here I stand. God help me. Amen.” Back in those days, Emperors and Princes ruled Europe, which was still known as the Holy Roman Empire. The church and government ruled together. To people of that time, it would be inconceivable to separate church form state. The princes supported the church and its universities with tax money. The church coronated the princes and kings, which gave them authority for government.

In the year 1517, there was growing resentment against the Emperor and the Pope because they thought they favored Italy, Spain and France. Even some of the Princes in Germany felt their kingdoms were being abused by the Emperor and Pope. Once more, an important German invention was changing people's thinking. The new device was called a printing press. The old people didn't like the way their young people were spending so much time reading.

Along came Martin Luther, a young Augustinian Monk who was a highly acclaimed professor at Prince Fredrick’s new University at Wittenberg. One of Luther's innovative ideas was that all Germans ought read the Bible and worship in their own native language. But his most important conviction came from the Holy Scripture which says that we are justified by God's grace through faith, and not by our works.

So, Luther was teaching that even the good things we do, even loyalty to the church and the government would not save us. We are justified by God's grace alone, which came through Jesus Christ, his cross and resurrection. Luther's books and writings were seen throughout Europe as direct challenge to the pope and the emperor. Luther posted his 95 Theses as arguments points for theological discussion. Something had to give.

It was the year 1521 when Charles V, the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, called a meeting of all the princes from all over Europe to try to decide to do with this rebellious professor from Wittenberg. Luther and three of his friends came to this meeting, called a Diet at the city of Worms, and were received with a big party where the whole town turned out to meet them. If People Magazine were published in 1521, Luther would have been on the front cover, Luther was that popular. In the morning, Luther spent his time getting for his appearance like a man preparing to defend himself before the Diet, which was something like the congressional hearings we have today.

It was dark and 6:00 at night when they finally sent imperial Marshall to escort Dr. Luther to meet the diet. The hall was packed and smelled of the burning oil of the torches in sconces that lit the royal room. German and Spanish soldiers lined the walls. On the thrown sat Emperor Charles V, only 20 years old. His uncle and aunt were King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain, who recently sent Christopher Columbus on a voyage looking to find a passage to the East.

The young Emperor was wearing a very large jewel on a chain around his neck. Around him were six princes and electors of the empire, and representatives of the Pope from Rome. All day they met and came to one solid resolution. If the powers of the pope were to be maintained Luther had to recant his position.

When Luther entered the room, all eyes were fixed on him. He stood quietly before the thrown. A theologian from Rome, Dr. Eck told him only to answer questions, not to make any other statements. The titles of Luther's books were read aloud slowly, one by one. Dr. Eck asked Luther, "Do you admit that the opinions you wrote in them are wrong?"

Luther asked for time to consider the question, and after a small discussion, the Diet was adjourned till the next day. Luther spent the night praying. The next day his friends found him to be in good spirits, laughing and joking. Again he was escorted to the hall before the Emperor.

Luther spoke of his writings and what they meant. He told them about how Christians are justified by faith, not by keeping the law and being good, but only by God’s grace through faith. Now to us, it might seem hard to believe that a theological argument would be of enough concern to deserve national attention. But the people of the 16th century saw this issue between the emperor in Rome and Dr. Luther. Justification by grace was challenging their ways of raising money, the most famous involved selling indulgences.

An indulgence was a certificate sold to families that guaranteed their beloved dead would go to heaven. Could you imagine paying say $3,000 for a certificate from the pope that said your deceased loved one was in heaven? Common folk who heard about this were divided. On one hand, buying an indulgence meant that all they had to do was pay the money and that was it, they were saved. The majority of Germans saw this practice as a tax to raise money for the Emperor in Rome.

At the trial, Luther didn't stand a chance. In the eyes of the Emperor, Luther was guilty unless he changed his position about the primacy of God’s grace. After he finished explaining his theology, Dr. Eck said, "Do you take back what you have written, or not?"

Luther replied, “It is neither save nor right to act against one’s own conscience." Then he uttered his most memorable words, "Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise, God help me, Amen." After that he was taken into custody, and was expecting to spend time in prison. But he had friends in high places who helped him escape. The rest as they say, is history. The Reformation began as a movement dedicated to justification by grace through faith. In all matters of government, finances, law, and works, we are free to live by faith in our loving and gracious God. This is the truth of the gospel.

In John’s gospel reading today, we read these famous words the truth shall make you free. Joe and Jordan, you know today the church is recognizing that you are free under the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We believe that we are free to live by God’s grace. But with freedom always comes responsibility and accountability. We are accountable for what we do, say, and what we believe. When we fall short, we come to the truth about ourselves, and about God’s grace.

Jesus gives forgiveness, and forgiveness is freedom to repent and turn to the way of Christ. The Freedom we have in the gospel is wonderful. But we have often misinterpreted the freedom of the gospel to think that good works are no longer necessary. Faithful people are thankful to God, and good works always follow our faith. But many who say they believe are not even worshiping with the church. Now I think we need a second reformation that call's us back to God's judgement so that we can understand what grace is all about.

Zoe and Jordan confirmation sets you are free to be who God created you to be in your baptism. Now you are going to make some promises to continue in the covenant God made with you.

To live among God’s faithful people. To hear God’s word and share in the Lords’ Supper to Proclaim the good news of God in Christ in word and deed, To serve all people, follow the example fo Jesus Christ and to strive for justice and peace in all the world.

And you will respond, I do, and I ask God to help and guide me.

I hear echo of Luther’s words, “Here I stand. God help me. Amen.” As all of us you say these words, let us all remember the covenant God made with us in our baptism. Let us renew that our vows of confirmation, when we said, “Yes by the help of God.” We are free to live by grace through faith, today and forever. That is the truth of the good news of Jesus Christ. Amen.