Reformation: Epistle, Romans 3:19-28                                   

Romans 3:19-28

The epistle text for Reformation Sunday screams to me that I must share a story. A personal story that marks how I look at this passage every time I’m confronted with it. And the story comes from my days in seminary in Portland, Oregon over 35 years ago.

I was privileged (and I wish I could capitalize, underline, and emphasize that word) to sit at the feet of a man I consider one of God’s choicest servants. Ever. Dr. John G. Mitchell founded Multnomah School of the Bible as an undergraduate college to teach “fellas and gals” the Word of God. That’s how he referred to us with great fondness. Years later a graduate seminary was established and I sat, and watched, and hung on every word from this 95-year old master of the Holy Scriptures. With the entire New Testament firmly in memory and I believe most of the Old Testament as well, he humbly would relate to us that he never did “Bible memorization” as a task or discipline. He simply gave this counsel, “Read, and then re-read, and then re-read the Word of God.” Treasured counsel then. And even more so today as I have entered my seventh decade.

This passage (Romans 3:19-28) was to Dr. Mitchell the crux of the gospel. Paul’s setting forth the marvelous truths about the righteousness of Christ being gifted to the man or woman in Christ was his great delight to teach and proclaim and you could not help but “catch the bug” if you ever listened to this dear saint unpack these verses. One Friday afternoon as we were finishing our week on campus with Dr. Mitchell’s Romans class, we had just heard his wondrous exposition of this passage and when he finished, everyone remained seated as if struck by the sweetness of the message of Christ. We all were overwhelmed by Dr. Mitchell’s mastery of Romans, but even more by his humble and evident adoration of his Savior whom he desired would capture our hearts and minds as well. As he made his way toward the door of the lecture hall, the class had begun to pack up and as Dr. Mitchell placed his gentle hand on the door, he turned to us, and with his characteristic sparkle quipped, “Now I want you to go home this weekend and read Romans 3:19-28 one hundred thousand times. A quick nod moved him on his way.

He sent us out that day filled to the brim with the Spirit’s Word. I’ve never forgotten his counsel. It changed my life.