Reformation Encouragement
You will be hated by all people because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved. Matthew 10:22
This Gospel reading for Reformation Sunday records Jesus warning his disciples about the future. Yes, the future for the Church is great. When Jesus spoke these words, he was busily engaged in his public ministry. The disciples were overjoyed that the promised Messiah had come. Jesus knew that he would establish the Good News. It would be accomplished by being the Lamb of God. He had to die. To accomplish this, he had to be rejected and brought to the cross, as the Scriptures had indicated. That hard-fought victory that Jesus secured would be proclaimed throughout the world.
There is a surprising truth, Jesus points out. Not everyone who hears the Good News about Jesus is filled with love and joy. In verse 21 Jesus said, “Brother will hand over his brother to death, and a father will do the same with his child. Children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.” The same hatred that Jesus experienced when establishing the Gospel is reserved for those, who by God’s grace, believe the Gospel.
The devil is always opposed to God and his kingdom. God’s Word teaches clearly about the sanctity of life. It also declares that God created human beings male and female and that he made us perfect. The problem arose when we chose to disobey God. Because all have sinned, we are all, by nature, enemies of God. Today, when someone points out humanity’s sin, the issue is often classified as “political” and therefore considered off-limits.
But remember what Jesus also promised: “whoever endures to the end will be saved.” This is “By Grace alone, By Faith alone, By Christ alone.” His Word declares it and to God be the glory!
Lord Jesus, thank you for the victory. Enable us to be faithful witnesses to your amazing grace. Amen.