"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Happy Reformation Day! Today we celebrate that, through Martin Luther 500 years ago, the Lord brought the light of the Gospel more brightly to His church. And if there is anything Dr. Luther and our Lutheran forefathers taught, it's that Christ's Word is the truth that sets us free.
It's a dangerous thing to think and believe that what your church teaches is the truth, the whole truth, and noth-ing but the truth. Many churches and lots of preachers would say, “Well, no one knows ALL the truth. We all have a little bit of the truth. To say you really have all the truth is a bit arrogant!” How sad!
Jesus doesn't say we'll know “some of the truth” or “a bit of the truth” or “most of the truth.” He says we will know the truth and it will set us free. Period. But what's the truth? Jesus is the Truth (and the Way and the Life!) To say we know all the truth is to confess that Jesus is the Truth. And what is the Truth? That He came to save sinners by taking our place and dying and rising for us.
If someone believes that the Bible doesn't teach all the truth or that we can't know the truth, then the blanks get filled in with other stuff. Philosophy. Science. New Age teaching. Sociology or anthropology. Nonsense. Christ didn't come and teach His disciples and then go off laughing to heaven, hoping they would figure the rest out!
The One who is risen from the dead is the Truth and He teaches us all the truth. In His Word, He speaks clearly and plainly what it is that He has done for us and where and how we may receive His gifts: by water, Word, body and blood. There is no doubting with Jesus. No bits and pieces. Nothing missing. Nothing made up. In Christ we have the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, because Jesus is the Truth! In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
Lord, keep us steadfast in Your Word;
Curb those who by deceit or sword
Would wrest the kingdom from Your Son
And bring to naught all He has done. (LSB 655:1)
Pastor Berndt