October 31, 2026
Today's Reading: John 8:31-36 or Matthew 11:12-19
Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 32:28-52; Deuteronomy 33:1-29; Matthew 20:17-34
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
On October 31, 1517, a monk named Martin Luther nailed 95 theses to the church door in Wittenberg. He wasn’t trying to start a revolution. He was trying to have a debate about indulgences - pieces of paper people could buy to reduce their time in purgatory. The church taught that you could purchase forgiveness and that salvation was something you could earn or buy your way into. Luther said, “Wait a minute, that’s not what the Bible says.”
The more Luther studied Scripture, the clearer it became: we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. We are not saved by our works. We are not saved by our efforts. We are not saved by our money. We are not saved by anything we do. Salvation is a Gift, given freely by God because of what Jesus has done.
This was revolutionary because it meant freedom. Freedom from the burden of trying to earn God’s favor. Freedom from the fear that you haven't done enough. Freedom from wondering if God really loves you. “If the on sets you free, you will be free indeed.” That’s what the Reformation recovered - the truth that Jesus has already done everything necessary for your salvation.
But freedom doesn’t mean you can just do whatever you want. Jesus also says, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Real freedom comes from knowing the truth and being set free by it. The truth is that you’re a sinner who deserves death. The truth is that Jesus died in your place and rose again. The truth is that by faith in Him, you’re forgiven, declared righteous, and adopted as God’s child. That truth sets you free.
The Reformation wasn’t about Martin Luther being some kind of hero. It was about recovering the Gospel that had been buried under layers of human tradition and false teaching. Luther didn’t invent anything new - he simply pointed people back to what Scripture had always said. Salvation is by grace alone. Faith is a Gift from God. Jesus is the only mediator between God and man. The Bible is the final authority.
These truths are just as important today as they were 500 years ago. You still need to hear that you’re saved by grace, not by works. You still need to be pointed to Jesus, not to yourself. You still need the freedom that comes from knowing your sins are forgiven because of what Christ has done, not because of what you have done.
So today, we give thanks for the Reformation. But more than that, we give thanks for the Gospel it recovered - the good news that the Son has set you free, and you are free indeed.
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Almighty God, gracious Lord, pour out your Holy Spirit on Your faithful people. Keep them steadfast in Your grace and truth, protect and comfort them in all temptation, defend them against all enemies of Your Word, and bestow on the 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.
Rev. Dr. Thomas Brown, pastor of Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Spearfish, SD.
