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“Blessed is the one 

who does not walk in step with the wicked 

or stand in the way that sinners take 

or sit in the company of mockers,

² but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.”

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It’s time once again for your day in court – and mine.

Martin Luther, reflecting on the Biblical picture of man and woman, recognized that we are two selves, a kind of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. One self is lawless, motivated by ego and a thousand impulses. The other, the new person in Christ, delights in the law of the Lord, finds its’ refuge and joy in Him. Luther, like Paul before him, recognized that throughout this life these two selves are at war with one another. You can see it, feel it, in your own life as well.

As a result, Luther characterized the Christian life as a daily return to baptism, a daily return to repentance, a daily return to the court of God’s law where we stand before the bench and are given opportunity to be indicted once again. The old rascal in us must be undone, condemned and lead to the place of execution, to the cross, to baptism, there to be crucified with Christ.

At the same time, even as the old sinful, self is executed with Christ so is the new person raised with Him in baptism. We are lead from the cross to the empty tomb. All things are made new. The past is gone, a new day has come. Just as the old sinner in us delights in lawlessness and the promotion of the self, the new person in Christ finds delight in love and trust. In Christ we become servants and friends of one another. Our joy and delight are in God and his grace.

The old sinner in me trembles at the thought of standing before the bench. The new man in Christ, however, anxious to be free, can’t wait to be dragged into court!  

So, as I begin this new and untried day, bring down the gavel, Lord! Send me to the cross that I may die with Christ and be raised with Christ into the freedom and  joy of Your kingdom!

“May the peace of God that passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

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