In the Gospel according to St. Luke we have a glorious account that teaches us about the forgiveness of sins. It is the account of the Paralytic when, after Jesus sees him being lowered into the house says, "Man, your sins are forgiven you." The Pharisees and the teachers of the law hate this and call Jesus a Blasphemer. They say only God has the authority to forgive sins; therefore, Jesus rebukes them and makes the point saying, "Yes, only God can forgive sin. Pick up your bed then, O man, and go home. I am God in the flesh." Jesus forgives sins because He is God. Yes, only God can forgive sin. Only God can cleanse us of our iniquity and present us blameless unto life everlasting.

Absolution is not a work done by man, but only takes place as a declaration from God to us. It is the action of God forgiving us our sins, not counting them against us. The Formula of Concord writes, "We teach that through the Holy Spirit's work we are born anew and justified. But the sense is not that after regeneration no unrighteousness clings anymore to the justified and regenerate in their being and life. It means that Christ covers all their sins (Which in this life still dwell in nature) with His complete obedience" (Formula of Concord Solid Declaration III.22). The work of justifying, of forgiving sins, is not man's work, but God's Work. Forgiveness has to be God's work, because man will never stop being sinful and unclean; therefore, his forgiveness is temporary and not eternal. Only God's declaration of absolution acquits man of his transgressions against God and the neighbor. So, good job to the Pharisees and teachers of the law, because only God can forgive sins and Jesus is God. Jesus does forgive sins and because He is God, that forgiveness is eternal and lasting.

Jesus continues to forgive you your sins still this day. Yes, when you ask Him for forgiveness in your private prayers you are indeed forgiven. In addition to this forgiveness, He sends you pastors to say those three words that matter, "I forgive you." NO, it's not the pastor forgiving you because he is holier than you, but rather he forgives you because he stands in the stead of Jesus, the one who does forgive you all your sins because He claimed all your sins and died for you on the cross. So the pastor says until God takes his breath away, "I forgive you." When you doubt your forgiveness , your pastor says, "I forgive you." When you've failed again this week, your pastor says, "I forgive you." When you've transgressed the law, destroyed your neighbor, worried about the world, doubted God's love and existence, lashed out, succumbed to temptation, and given in to your fleshy desires, the pastor says, "Try harder.' No. NO. NO.NO. NO. NO. NO. The pastor says, "I forgive you." These are God's words, the words of grace and mercy that you and I need to receive habitually until we are called home. And the best part is, Jesus has us covered in His righteousness and He will never stop forgiving us.

Peace be with you. May the devil be silenced, the world be hushed, and the Old Adam drowned anew so that you hear only the voice of your Savior Jesus who says, "Man, your sins are forgiven you," Amen.

Jesus' Sheepdog,

Pastor Hull