Presidential elections in the USA are coming. How many days now? Who’s voice or party will we pay allegiance to – for four years anyway? That question alone will drive us to our knees in prayer! The Reformation was also grappling with a similar debate – who is the ultimate voice of authority here on earth, given that we will all say we are Christian and believe in God. But God cannot be seen and communicates through representatives who do not always give the same message. Luther contended that the answer was Scripture not a human representative like the Pope. We stand on Scripture alone. Luther’s famous quote from the Diet of Worms in Germany started, “Unless I am convinced by proofs from Scripture…” he would not recant his writings.
Jesus in his third temptation in the wilderness faced a similar situation. The devil offered Jesus everything if he would just let the devil be the ultimate voice of authority, if Jesus would bow and worship Satan, if Jesus would recant from his call.
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; 9 and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written,
‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’”
Jesus quoted Scripture. He did not show all his glory to impress the devil. He did not refer to history and his role as creator. He referred to Scripture. His appetites had been tempted. His identity had been tempted. And now the question of who would he bow to. We believe Scripture comes from God and we bow only to God. That is not so easy because life is messy. It is not easy to know how to choose or how to discern God’s will in any given situation. I often say, I wish God would send me a fax that is specific. God is not making robots that are programed with his instructions but followers who choose his way.
So the question becomes who are we worshipping today? Scripture ultimately helps us sort that out. The word of God is a light unto our feet and a lamp upon our way. It teaches and reproofs and instructs us. It has historical depth, honest transparent stories of lives of real people who failed and were forgiven, and it is thematically consistent. As we face our challenges today, may our beacon of light in this foggy world be “Scripture Alone.” Blessings.
On the Way to Wonder 