Martin Luther's neurosis was guilt and forgiveness. He was paranoid over his own sin and the condemnation he felt before the face of God. He obsessed over the search for adequate penance that would gain him forgiveness.
At the time, the Roman Church taught that it was the broker of the forgiveness Luther sought. The Church told Luther to pray so many prescribed prayers, to flog himself, to fast and to buy indulgences. The Church told him turn from marriage and worldly possessions to join the monastic orders, so that he might be perfect as his Father in heaven was perfect. The Church told him to do many things. Still, Luther was not satisfied. Martin scoured the scriptures to find the answer to his worry, his dread. Finally, he read Romans 3:19-28: "For 'no human being will be justified in his sight' by deeds prescribed by the law for through the law comes the knowledge of sin" (v. 20). And he realized that everything from the 10 Commandments to the prescription of prayers and indulgences only served to remind him of his guilt. Then, "For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (v.23). And he realized that before God's righteousness, no human being could stand except as a court defendant. Then, "...they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith" (v.24). And he realized that everything hinged on the work of Christ. Jesus was not just a defense lawyer or co-defendant or character witness or scapegoat--Jesus was the Judge that came down from the bench to stand with the guilty.
The Cross alone wiped away all of the sins of the past. But more than that, Jesus gave the chance for life, for new life. In sin, we die, and in Christ, we live. It is Jesus within us (by the power and work of the Holy Spirit), which gives us a new lease on life, so that sin does not take everything from us. What blessed joy that the sentenced criminal is given a life of freedom instead of confinement or death!!!
This idea started a reformation--the Reformation. It is a fitting name, since it applies also to the reformed criminal that is supposed to come out of our human "correctional facilities."
On this Reformation Day, as I was thinking of all of this, I thought of the story of Cain and Abel. The story is an...unlikely Reformation text. At least, I have never heard anyone link that story to the Reformation. And yet, I think it is the perfect story.
You remember that Cain murdered his brother Abel. You can read the story to discover the details, the motive, etc. (Genesis 4:1-16). I would like to focus on the punishment. But first note that the commandment against killing had not yet been given. This second generation of humans did not even know that murder or death existed. And so, it was Cain's guilt after the fact that made him realize the horrible thing he had done--the law, and guilt, give us knowledge of our sin.
Cain's punishment was that his work would be futile and he would be a fugitive on the earth. When he planted, the ground would produce no yield. And he would be forever homeless, a wanderer. Perhaps this is where the saying, "No rest for the wicked" comes from. In a culture that lives by the motto: "An eye for an eye," Cain should have been sentenced to death himself. Indeed, that is what Cain asks for, saying to God, "...I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and anyone who meets me may kill me" (Gen. 4:14b). God virtually shouts "No!" And God puts a mark on Cain, so that whomever he met would know that if they killed him, they themselves would be cursed.
I find it interesting that we Christians often consider this Mark of Cain to be part of the punishment. In the story, we somehow see death as a mercy, and that God punishes Cain by making him to live on. Do you realize how messed up that is? When I read the story, especially through the lens of Luther and the Reformation, I see the Mark of Cain as an act of mercy. God was trying to preserve Cain's life. Even though Cain had to face the consequences of his murderous act--to leave his home and his vocation--the Great Judge could not bear to take the life of his human, "adopted" son.
Cain was given a life of freedom. And although he lost his former life (vocation, home, family, etc.), he went on to build another life. In fact, if you read the next bit of Genesis, you will find that Cain went to Nod, married, had children--and he started civilization!!! Scriptures say that Cain went to Nod, "away from the presence of the LORD" (v.16). And yet, God still worked through Cain to spread life upon the earth--life that was safe and protected and full in the beginnings of human civilization! Perhaps Cain tried to flee from God's presence, but it would seem that bidden or not bidden, God is present.
So, for me the story is about guilt, yes, but also forgiveness. Where others may call for our death, where we ourselves may wish for death, God gives us life. God even gives us a newness to life. We are freed from our old sinful selves in order to go on and do great, or at least good, things. (And isn't every good thing great?)
The Church is full of sinners. The Church itself is sinful. We, the Church, are Cain.
Luther's struggle with the Law, helped him to uncover some of the corruption that was eating away at the Church.
But God marks us with a mark that preserves our life.
We are marked with the Cross of Christ--in ashes and in water and in oil.
Despite our sin, God gives us life and the chance to go out and do good things to spread life throughout the earth.
The Church is also marked with the Cross. And yet the Church is commissioned to spread the Gospel of Life.
And with that mark, just like Cain, we as individuals and as the corporate Church experience a reformation.
God re-forms our lives.
God re-forms us.
May God continually re-form the Church.
Amen.
For further thought or discussion:
1. Cain's jealousy revolved around worship, and his perception that Abel's offerings were more pleasing to God. Worship, particularly the Sacrament of the Altar and the role of leaders in that worship, were some of the contentions of the Reformation. How might comparing these stories help us understand both scripture and the Reformation? What can we learn about our worship today?
2. We get from the Cain and Abel story the question: "Am I my brother's keeper?" I find it interesting that Cain was really interested in keeping track of his brother when it came to comparisons and who was more pleasing to God. But then, when Abel was in trouble, the response was--not my problem. Are we our neighbor's keeper? What is the line between judging and helping guide our neighbor along the Way? Was Martin Luther judgmental toward the church?
3. Cain's guilt and punishment seemed to throw him into despair. Although he did not seem to consider suicide, he hoped that someone would kill him (vv.13-14). When we feel guilty, we are often thrown into despair in the same way, which causes us to hide our sin or to lash out at others or to cut ourselves off from people and life. How does God react when we are thrown into despair? How does God help us? How can the Good News give us hope?
4. Civilization is built upon a murderous forefather. Obviously we are still being reformed. Discuss.
5. The Gospel approach to infractions upon the Law is different to the approach of the governments of this world. This story, and its link to the Reformation may help launch a discussion about our correctional facilities in the United States. Take a look at the ELCA's proposed social statement on criminal justice.
rha
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