ILuke 10:16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me. --KJV
In the name of the One Whom we hear, amen.
Dr. Martin Luther quoted this passage in reference to Holy Absolution. His point was that sometimes we don't really feel forgiven. We remember the argument we had with our spouse or how we punched that kid in the nose. Maybe it was that cutting remark we made to some girl when we were angry, or the pet sin we thought we had gotten a handle on. Whatever it is, there are times when we don't feel forgiven.
So we find ourselves in Church on Sunday morning confessing our sins, hardly thinking of what we say. Then we hear the words, "Upon this your confession," and we think, "I'm nothing but a hypocrite! How can I be forgiven?" Perhaps we focus too on the fact that it is a mere man standing in front of us. Would he really be so bold as to think that he can forgive our sins?
Around and around it goes. We hear the Holy Absolution--the forgiveness of sins and we doubt. But, as Doctor Luther pointed out, the man standing in front of you was sent by Jesus, and when he speaks the Absolution it is Christ Jesus Himself that you hear as the passage says. Do not despise His words.
Christ sends out His servants to speak the life giving words of forgiveness. When we hear the Absolution, we should have complete confidence that it is our Savior who speaks forgiveness to us. We should be certain that we are forgiven for our cruel words, our striking out, our misunderstandings, and our pet sins. Finally, when we doubt our forgiveness, even that sin is forgiven because of Jesus' sacrifice for us.
Our Savior gives us comfort on top of comfort, blessing on top of blessing. He spoke those words to His disciples when He sent them out so that today, when the ones He sends out speak words of forgiveness, we can be certain that our sins are in fact forgiven. May there be joy and peace in your life because of this assurance! Amen.
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for sending Your servants to speak words of forgiveness to us. Sometimes we doubt those words, and do not feel forgiven. Send Your Holy Spirit upon us to open our eyes to Your promise that whoever hears the voice of the ones You send hears You. Open our hearts to trust Your Holy Absolution even when we don't feel forgiven, amen.