The Festival of the Reformation
October 25, 2026
John 8:31-36
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus,
Amid all the celebrations of the Reformation, have you ever paused to ask whether we’re celebrating who we are—or simply who we are not?
Sometimes I fear that, in observing the Reformation, we, as Lutherans, open ourselves to the attitude in the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector- you know the one…
Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’
Are we more likely to exalt ourselves like the Pharisee, to thank God we’re not those Roman Catholics, those Baptists, or name your denomination, than to simply utter the words of the dreaded Tax Collector, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’” (St. Luke 18:10-14)
Sometimes we’re so focused on “Not” being someone else that we exalt ourselves into being who we shouldn’t be, and we miss being who we’re supposed to be.
We see this in children trying not to be like their parents; you know what I mean, trying not to adopt the habits we believe are unflattering and unhelpful. Yet all that “work” to avoid being like someone else often leads to a cycle of exhaustion and an internal struggle that brings fits of despair.
Lutherans can sometimes be like children, striving, arguing, and working hard not to be seen or considered someone other than themselves. The Lutheran Church, or the local congregation, can then become exhausted by insecurity and alienation from others, maybe even from your family, and adopt an “Us vs. Them” mentality.
And yet, it’s all this work, the going out of a Lutheran’s way to say, I’m not Roman Catholic, or I’m not this guy or that guy that binds them up, robs them of their freedom, the freedom of who they are and the peace they receive in Christ Jesus.
And here is a pivotal point of the Reformation: it wasn’t so much about Luther saying who he wasn’t as it was about him confessing who he was.
Remember, the Reformation was never about forming a new church; it was about being the Church Scripture calls Christians to be.
The “Re” in Reformation means to return, and “formation” means returning to the original form. Luther wanted the Church, the Roman Catholic Church, to return to its proper foundation: Scripture and the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
For Luther, the book of Romans played a critical role in his understanding of the Christian faith and in his boldness in confessing it.
A key passage was Romans 1:16-17; St. Paul wrote,
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
Let’s parse these verses out for a moment.
“For I am not ashamed of the Gospel.”
Yet too often, the Lutheran, the Christian, walks through life ashamed of their faith and burdened by guilt about it, and this shame shows up not only in our words but also in our silence, our inability to confess the Gospel that dwells within us and fills us with faith. (2 Timothy 1:5)
Just examine your daily lives outside of Good Shepherd: how do you consciously exercise your faith?
But still, to understand “the Gospel as the power of God for salvation” is to focus less on your own works, how others see you, or what they think. Instead, it’s about rejoicing in the gift of God’s forgiveness. The joy of this gift, this forgiveness, is too great to keep to yourself, so confess and share it with others who may also come to this saving faith.
And it’s for this reason, “The righteous (you, are to) live by faith.”
The Gospel of Jesus Christ frees you from the tireless yoke of works righteousness, the belief that you must earn your salvation (forgiveness). Instead, the Gospel, in its proper place, points the Christian to the cross, where Jesus died for you, and to the words of Holy Scripture, which deliver forgiveness of sins and make you righteous on their own, so you can stand before God.
Martin Luther wrote regarding this passage from Romans,
They (The Roman Catholic Church) had said: The righteousness of God, that is, the wrath of God. But as often as I (Luther) read this passage, I wished that God had never revealed the Gospel; for who could love a God who was angry, who judged and condemned people? This misunderstanding continued until, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, I finally examined more carefully the word of Habakkuk: ‘The just shall live by his faith’ (2:4). From this passage I concluded that life must be derived from faith.… Then the entire Holy Scripture became clear to me, and heaven itself was opened to me. Now we see this brilliant light very clearly, and we are privileged to enjoy it abundantly” (WLS § 2600).
These are not the words of an angry man or of someone focused on who he isn’t, but of a man who, for the first time, understood who He was—whose eyes the Holy Spirit had opened to the greatest news for mankind: that the gift of the Gospel delivers forgiveness, peace, and faith.
The righteous live by faith, and you are to live by it too: faith in Jesus Christ.
Sure, living by faith is not easy; it’s downright challenging, as the devil, the world, and your own sinful flesh desire to lead you away from Christ, whether it be through the idea that you can earn salvation, the forgiveness of sin, or eternal life, or to silence the confession of faith you have been given through the work of the Holy Spirit within you.
Living by faith isn’t easy. But it’s necessary.
As we rejoice at the baptism of Simeon and reflect on his name this morning, consider the old man who took the Christ child into his arms following the Christmas story, as He was presented in the temple. It was written that Simeon was waiting for the consolation of Israel, the salvation and forgiveness promised of old to arrive. He was told he would not see death until he saw the Christ.
But Simeon had to learn to be patient, to keep watch, and to pray for this day to arrive, and once it did, what did Simeon do? He broke forth in song,
“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation
that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.” (St. Luke 2:29-32)
What joy is this? What joy and jubilation does Simeon feel as he cradles the Savior of the world in his arms?
Again, Simeon’s words don’t focus on who he isn’t; they confess who Jesus is, why He came into this world, and who Simeon is because of that child: a forgiven and redeemed son of God.
Isn’t there more joy in confessing who you are than in fighting not to be someone else?
Remember this, because just as Simeon once took the Christ child into his arms, the Christ has now cradled baby Simeon in His arms. Likewise, He has taken you, bringing you all into His grave through His death on the cross, and has also raised you out of these waters to new life, to forgiveness of sin, and to faith in Him, a peace meant to abide with you as you traverse this life and to prepare you for the life to come.
As another Reformation Day comes and goes, let us focus less on who you are not and more on the gift of who you are: God’s baptized children, children of paradise. Is there anything more joyful than this? Let this be your confession of faith this day as you forever sing, “I am God’s Child, I Gladly Say, I am baptized into Christ.”
Yes, sing this, confess it, have faith, and be at peace. +INJ+
Rev. Noah J. Rogness
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Tomah, WI
The Sermons of Pastor Rogness can we found at www.RognessOnTap.com
Learn more about Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at www.goodsheptomah.org
