In the Large Catechism, Luther confesses, "Therefore, when I urge you to go to confession, I am simply urging you to be a Christian" (Large Catechism Tappert 460.32). Here Luther is speaking about private of personal confession and absolution. He urges every Christian to take hold and use this gift from God, not to further burden them with more works they must do, but in order that their conscience may be set free in the words of forgiveness. Confession and Absolution is not man's work, but rather it is Jesus' work. Confession and Absolution is not based on the pastor's merit, worthiness, or holiness, but rather is based on and is a firm word because it is Jesus' Word and promise. Confession and Absolution is Jesus' work that brings joy to the terrified conscience in the forgiveness of our sins.

Private or personal confession and absolution is the best practice, not because it is a greater forgiveness based on how much you get off your chest, but rather it is greater because the pastor personally and individually absolves you right into your ear, leaving no room for doubt that you are indeed forgiven and blameless before your Heavenly Father. In addition to the practice of private or personal absolution, we also have the practice of public confession and absolution in our Divine Service. 1st John 1:8-10 says, "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." These words help guide our understanding and practice in the Divine Service for why we have confession and absolution.

We have confession and absolution immediately following the Invocation because it places us in the right place for the entire service. We are not gathered by the Holy Spirit in the Divine Service in order to display to God our merit's and good works we accomplished throughout the previous week. No, we are not in worship in order to lay at the altar our worthiness and merit. Rather, we are brought to the Divine Service, by the Holy Spirit, in order to receive the merit and worthiness of our Lord, Jesus the Christ, and the gifts that He purchased and won for us on the cross. We flow from the Invocation, which places us as baptized children, into the confession and absolution because we approach our Lord as children who have sinned this week and need to be forgiven and cleansed. We are brought to Jesus, not to receive a commendation for good work, but rather are brought to Him in order that He may forgive us our failures and create in us new hearts that receive His mercy and grace.

Confession and Absolution is the life of the baptized. Our baptismal life is one of daily repentance and forgiveness. In the Divine Service we live out our baptismal life by confessing our sins and, based on Jesus' grace and mercy, we receive forgiveness. May our faith, given to us by Christ, continue to trust not in our works, but rather trust in Jesus' love and forgiveness for our eternal salvation. Thanks be to God that we have such a treasure in Holy Confession and Absolution, that we receive from the Pastor's mouth the words of forgiveness the same as Jesus Himself is speaking to us.

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 Savior Jesus who says, "I forgive you all your sins. Depart in peace, you are blameless and clean," Amen.

Jesus' Sheepdog,

Pastor Hull