August 23 2026 —
The Declaration of Independence boldly assert that certain truths are “self-evident.” Lutherans, however, note that the most important truths revealed in the Bible are not self-evident, especially the truth that salvation cannot be achieved through human effort but comes entirely by God’s grace. Most unexpected of all is the message that God brings forgiveness and eternal life through the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. Biblical truth is revealed by God rather than discovered by reason alone. It is “Unexpected Truth.”
Some in Jesus’ day thought he was John the Baptist. Some thought he was the prophet Elijah who had come back from the dead. Today plenty of people believe that Jesus existed. They think that Jesus was a wise teacher or a role model for love. Both answers are expected. Both miss the main point. Jesus is a real human being, the Son of Man. He is also Lord and Savior, the Son of the living God. This “Unexpected Truth” is the core of saving faith.
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