We are now in a devotional journey focused around portions of Carl E. Braaten’s book “Justification.”
The gospel declares that God acts to communicate (God’s) own righteousness that no effort on the part of human being can possibly attain. This happens at a particular place and time, namely, through the cross and resurrection of Jesus. This puts an end to the way of the law. God’s act in the death and resurrection of Jesus is the final and full revelation of God’s justice and mercy.
This is all about God. Our God acts on our behalf. The complete end of the way of the law as a way that people try to become a righteous people is gone. If it was the case, Jesus would not have been called righteous…for he lived, at times, contrary to what the religious people said was a righteous life. In the resurrection of Jesus God announces that the way of righteousness is the way of trusting what God does for us. That trust…that faith…is in what God has already done and what God foresees as being the rest of the story. God’s mercy is beyond our comprehension for it is beyond what we would call forth if it was our job to do that.
Connection: Listen to the stories that are told about our God. Many of the voices we will hear today come from story telling that does not know the way of the merciful and just God who raised Jesus from the dead. Instead, Jesus’ name is used to call for a life that must be led “in order to” receive the reward. It’s just plain faithless once again. Don’t stand for it.
Lord of New Life, you bring us into this day with the reminder that you are for us and in that position we need not fear what is around us. In trusting your word of grace and mercy in Christ, Jesus, we can break through the bonds of the religious game playing that keeps us all imprisoned and separated from your Reign. Amen.
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