One is not righteous who does much, but the one who, without work, believes much in Christ. The law says, ‘Do this,’ and it is never done. Grace says, ‘Believe in this,’ and everything is already done. ~ Martin Luther
Martin Luther’s Basic Theological Writings. Augsburg Fortress Press: Minneapolis, MN, 2012. p.56
GREETINGS BELOVED
FAMILY OF GOD,
This Sunday we celebrate Palm/Passion Sunday with a collective reading of the passion from Luke’s Gospel during worship. As this familiar story unfolds, look for the thread of God’s grace as it weaves through this story as Jesus teaches us how to live and how to die through his gift of grace.
It is easy to find the crookedness of human behavior. Religious leaders trying to find a quiet way to do away with Jesus, discover Judas, a willing participant, ready to look for an opportunity to betray Jesus. So where is the grace? Luther points to the law that says do this and it is never done. The religious leaders and Judas show us how we fail to fulfill the law. We fail and God provides the way through Jesus. This is grace.
Jesus knew he would be betrayed by Judas and warned the disciples and specifically warned Peter of his denial. Is it helpful to know the dangers ahead in our relationships? Luther reminds us that grace says, believe in this and everything is already done. Grace tells us that yes, we fall short, we fail, we act in fear to protect ourselves, we deny our relationship with Jesus in the face of peer pressure. We know this about ourselves.
Jesus knows this about us. God’s grace gives us the courage to look, really look at ourselves while also looking at Jesus and trusting Jesus more. Trust Jesus more. Trust God’s way of saving the world through the sacrifice of his son. Jesus shows us the way through life and death to new, resurrected life. Life that moves through death to life.
We don’t take kindly to dying to ourselves.
We resist and we try not to move in these circles of life, death and life. We hear echoes of our desire for life and avoidance of death in Jesus’ garden prayer, “let this cup pass”.
God’s grace finds us here too. As we read this together, pay attention to the grace that runs through Jesus’ passion. Experience God’s grace and think about how this grace, this trust in God shapes you and your view of other people. And then take D.T. Niles words to heart, “Christianity is one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.” Use your words to share how you experience God’s grace as the passion of our Lord unfolds before us again.
Bold Inquisitive Belief Loving Expansively,
Pastor Connie Spitzack
