Revelation 14:6-7; Romans 3:19-28; John 8:31-36

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

There are so many lasting legacies of the Reformation that it can be hard to talk about them all. Of course, the common refrain about the Reformation is the restoration of the gospel to the Church. However, this doesn’t even capture the full picture. For what does it mean that the gospel was restored? Was it only the teaching of salvation by faith alone? What about the teaching of the law? Or good works?

Indeed, these are all good topics and all worthy of discussion. However, there’s another topic that gets passed over all too often. While Luther came to understand these core truths, he also had to find a way to teach them, pass them down to future generations, and ensure they wouldn’t be forgotten. For the secret of the Reformation was music! Luther came to write, use, and master the art of music for teaching important doctrines of faith. 

First, let us consider the popular Psalm which Luther turns into the “battle hymn” of the Reformation (“A Mighty Fortress is our God”). By singing this hymn, we hear right from the Psalm, “A mighty fortress is our God, a trusty shield and weapon.” It reminds us that God is our mighty fortress against all storms of life. No matter what comes our way in this life, God alone can stand strong for us. Though we find that “On earth is not [the devil’s] equal,” we also hear that Jesus fights for us and needs but one “little word” to fell this mighty opponent.

Yet, we turn to the Gospel and hear the sad truth about our captivity to sin. As Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin,” John 8:34. Luther captures this same sentiment in another hymn (“Salvation unto Us Has Come”), where he writes, “From sin our flesh could not abstain, sin held its sway unceasing…” We all must know just how deep our sin goes lest we fall into false belief that we’re able to justify ourselves. In a way, Luther sought to restore the Law to its proper place just as much as he sought to rediscover the Gospel.

To get all the way to this point, Luther came to know and appreciate what the true core of the Reformation was. The doctrines, the hymns, the other debates were all periphery to this one thing. Salvation counted on Jesus alone. If we had Jesus only, we had true life and eternal salvation! If we had Jesus plus anything, then we really had nothing at all. As his hymn says, “Faith clings to Jesus’ cross alone and rests in Him unceasing… for faith alone can justify”. “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed,” John 8:36. It was Jesus alone who could justify and set us free from sin, death, and the devil. It was Jesus that he (and all of us) needed most of all. And if it was Jesus we need, then it was Jesus that needed to be preached, taught, and passed on. Not just his teachings, but Christ crucified for you and me! Yes, it’s Jesus on the cross that sets us free. It’s Jesus alone who we look to and find as our “mighty fortress.” It’s Jesus alone who offers us the blessings of forgiveness, life, and salvation!

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

Almighty and gracious Lord, pour out Your Holy Spirit on Your faithful people. Keep us steadfast in Your grace and truth, protect and deliver us in times of temptation, defend us against all enemies, and grant to Your Church Your saving peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!