The Scripture reading for today is John 2:23-25 which says, " Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. ²⁴ But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people ²⁵ and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man." 

The Confessions reading is 7th Commandment which is, "You shall not steal. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not take our neighbor's money or possessions, or get them in any dishonest way, but help him to improve and protect his possessions and income." 

Meditation: Think about it. Jesus knows your heart. He knows your deepest darkest secrets. He knows your worst thoughts and your greatest fears. He knows what you really think about your family, friends, co-workers, fellow students, and next door neighbors. He knows how much you want to lust. He knows how much you want stuff that isn't yours. He knows how angry you are inside. He knows how mush doubt corrupts your heart. He knows how little you think of others and how much you think of yourself. He knows you at your worst like nobody else does or every will. Jesus knows the intent of your heart. He knows your concupiscence. He knows your wicked inclinations. 

He also knows your struggles. He knows how you don't want to lust, covet everything that He has given to your neighbor, and hate others because of the wrongs they've committed against you and those you love. He knows how much the devil torments you. He knows the pressures you experience. He knows the depths of your sorrow. He knows how you just want to throw in the towel, give up, because you're being pressed together by sin, death, world, and the devil. He knows how scared sometimes you are of death and how much you worry about tomorrow. He knows your weakest moments and how you struggle with them. Jesus knows what is in man, and He knows what is in you.

And guess what? Jesus doesn't hate you because of it. He doesn't come and say, "Get with it. Buck up. You're fine. Just feel better. Just stop sinning. Just stop it." No. Jesus doesn't come and talk down to you, or half listen to your real problems and burdens. No. Jesus came and assumed all that is within you. He assumed as His very own all your temptations, all your desires, all your struggles, all your mistakes, all your idols, all your fears. He made His very own all your weaknesses so that He could die a powerfully weak sinners death on the cross. On the cross, Jesus died for what is within man, what is within you and me. He died because He became all that is wrong in us. He did this so that He could come, with all authority in heaven and on earth, to forgive us and lift us up every time we are down. He died so that He could grant us His life. He, in this blessed exchange and joyous switch, took our sin and swapped it with His righteousness and confidence. Now, in Jesus, in the forgiveness of our sins, WE have the assurance that we are loved, saved, and destined for heaven for all eternity. In Jesus, we have nothing to fear and worry about because He has taken care of everything for us.

So, my friends, have no fear. There is nothing that will surprise Jesus in your life. There is no sin that He didn't die for on the cross for you. There isn't one sin that He won't forgive. There isn't anything in heaven above or earth below, including yourself, that will get in the way of Jesus loving you, forgiving you, and saving you. 

Peace be with you. May the devil be silenced, the world be hushed, and the Old Adam be drowned anew so that you hear only the voice of your peaceful Savior Jesus who says, "I love you. I forgive you. I claim you as My own forever," Amen.

Jesus' Sheepdog