The Second Sunday in Lent, March 16, 2025
The Second Sunday in Lent, March 16, 2025
This is a tough verse for sinners to hear, tough for two reasons. The first reason is that sinners want to be justified in their thinking, feeling, and doing. It is tough for sinners to accept that they are justified solely because God declares them justified. Sinners want their thinking to be blameless, so they justify their thoughts with reasons and rationales. Sinners want their feelings to be blameless, so they justify their emotions by causes and effects. Sinners want their doings to be blameless, they justify their actions by appealing to authority or results. After years of wrestling with Scripture, Luther asserts, “Arrogance cannot be avoided, nor true hope be present unless the judgment of condemnation is feared in every work.” There is no excuse for sinners. Whatever attempts they make to justify their actions and remain blameless will always lead them into arrogance and failed hope. The second reason justification by faith is tough for sinners is that sinners cannot help but make a deal. Sinners will trade their faith in God for God’s justification. Sinners’ faith, then, becomes the last “necessary work.” The reality is that God’s work comes first: in Jesus Christ, sinners are justified; they have to trust that God is true to his Word; that is to say, God does not lie.
Prayers from sinners who covet being blameless…
Holy Father, you are God, and we are not. So tell us the truth about ourselves that the blame is ours while you are held blameless. For Jesus’ sake. Amen
Holy Father, you are God, and we are not. Grant that living in the reality of our blame, we can also live in the reality of being justified solely by your declaration. For Jesus’ sake. Amen
Holy Father, you are God, and we are not. As we hear your declaration of justification for us, grant that our response is faith… faith alone… faith alone in you, a God who does not lie. For Jesus’ sake. Amen
Holy Father, you are God, and we are not. Living, then, by faith, grant that we do not seek to be justified by blaming neighbors or friends. For Jesus’ sake. Amen
Holy Father, you are God, and we are not. As we are blameless against our neighbors, grant them to be blameless against us. For Jesus’ sake. Amen
Holy Father, you are God, and we are not. Grant that the Institute of Lutheran Theology point to its successes rather than offer excuses as justifications for its work. For Jesus’ sake. Amen
Holy Father, you are God, and we are not. During these days of our baptism, grant that we trust your Word and its promises. For Jesus’ sake. Amen