John 3, the Ten Commandments and the Creed

A reading from the Gospel of John, chapter 3. … “He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” … This is the Gospel of the Lord.

God’s grace, peace and mercy be with you. … This week we transition from the Commandments to the Creed, from Law to Gospel.

In the Large Catechism, Martin Luther wrote that in the Ten Commandments we see what, “God wishes us to do or to leave undone. …The Creed [tells us what] we must expect and receive from God, and [that it] teaches us to know Him fully.” The Commandments are Law because they tell us what “we ought to do, [but are] … set so high that [we are] … too feeble and weak to … keep them.”

Luther went on to say that if we could keep the Ten Commandments, we would need nothing further, neither the Creed nor the Lord's Prayer.

We easily understand Luther’s breakdown and explanation of the Creed into three chief articles according to the Persons of the Trinity. He did this so that the Creed could be easily taught to children. The First Article is about God the Father, and explains Creation; the Second Article, about the Son, and explains Redemption; and the Third, about the Holy Spirit, and explains Sanctification.  … I believe in God the Father, who created me; I believe in God the Son, who redeemed me; I believe in the Holy Ghost, who sanctifies me.

Turning to our Gospel, John the Baptist said, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.” Eternal life is Gospel or gift, but one must believe in the Son, Jesus Christ. Belief means a mental act of acceptance, a conviction in the truth, or placing trust or confidence in another. Yet, John means something deeper than simply accepting the teachings of Jesus as one does a contract, rules of a game or a political platform.

If eternal life is a gift from God, not something I earn, what else is required other than simple acceptance? Why does John say, “Whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him”? … Because simple acceptance implies Jesus’ teachings, part and parcel of the gift of eternal life, are followed, are lived. If I accept the gift, I obey the Son’s teachings. Like the servants at the wedding banquet in Cana, I do whatever he tells me.

Perhaps before we retire this evening, we should privately reflect upon the meaning of the Creed as God’s gift of eternal life to us. As we do, may the peace of God that surpasses all understanding, keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.