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Our sins are forgiven
Our sins are forgiven
In this lesson, students learn that Jesus gives us the forgiveness of sins. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, we forgive others their sins.
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Matthew 18:22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”
The One Place Forgiveness Is Always Found
The One Place Forgiveness Is Always Found
Some years ago, when discussing Jesus’ command to forgive without ceasing, one parent objected, “If I raised my children this way, they’d walk all over me.”
He was right. If children never learn the consequences to their mistakes, but get to run off every time they say ‘sorry,’ they will be more than happy to take advantage of parental naïveté.
Children must be taught firm law-lessons: “He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly” (Proverbs 13:24). Likewise, the hired hand with poor work performance must eventually be let go. If police officers, school teachers, and bank tellers didn’t hold fast to the rules, not only would you go bankrupt, society would be overrun with crime.
Certainly, you’ve seen the godlessness which has resulted from our increasingly lax society. ‘Forgiving’ at every turn does not make for a perfect world. When it comes to the kingdom of power, God maintains order by punishing sin.
When Jesus commissions Peter to forgive and forgive, He’s not speaking of curing society’s ills but about the kingdom of grace, His church on earth. Note, Peter’s question is about how to deal with fellow believers within the precious fold of blood-bought lambs: “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?”
Seventy times seven? I don’t have that many fingers.
Correct. This is the boundless grace of our God to be found in His means of grace: “If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?” (Psalm 130:3)
You can count on receiving an absolution full and free every time you come to Jesus in Word and Sacrament: “But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared.” (Psalm 130:4)
You have felt the rod. Life sees no lack of punishment. You might feel consequences of past mistakes on a near daily basis.
But in this one place, the Christian congregation, you get to have the unique experience of forgiveness.
The rest of your day will get tougher from here, but when it does, come back to God’s Word and find your Savior ever faithful to forgive you more times than you can count.
Devotion
Luke 5:20
20 When he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins have been forgiven.
In today's lesson, Jesus could have skipped the first and most important part and just healed the man so he could walk. Here's a question to consider, what if the man didn't believe Jesus could make him walk again? What if he just continued to lie on that cot and not even try to get up? Would have Jesus still completed His miracle? The answer of course is yes. Jesus did the healing, the man and those who carried him believed the miracle had occurred and they acted on it. The man got up and walked. He didn't go back to his family and say that he had made himself walk by just standing up, he told everybody what Jesus had done for him.
Let's consider a different question. What would have happened if the man did not believe that his sins were forgiven? What if he continued the rest of his life and then died? Why would he still be in hell? Like all people his sins were forgiven in Jesus. God tells us Jesus Christ came into the world to forgive sinners. The simple truth is this. Those who reject Jesus redeeming work go to hell. Only because they reject what Jesus has accomplished.
By the same faith that the man in our lesson had, our sickness of sin has been forgiven. New life is ours because of what Jesus did. Faith worked by the Holy Spirit is necessary of us to appreciate all of God's miracles. It is only through Him that the payment Jesus made for us becomes ours. We can confidently confess that we believe in the forgiveness of sins.
Devotion
Monday, October 7, 2024
Monday, October 7, 2024
(Matthew 9:5-7) For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins” – then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” And he arose and departed to his house.
Better Than a Medical Miracle
Better Than a Medical Miracle
Jesus crossed paths with a variety of physical ailments nearly unheard of today. Modern hospitals have no leper wards. Dropsy, fluid retention to the point of immobility, is solved with a simple water pill. Palsy is greatly eased with medication, diet, and mobility devices.
Despite every medical advancement, sin still stumps modern medicine: “Which is easier, ‘Your sins are forgiven you’ or ‘Arise and walk’?”
It might be easier to say the words—“I forgive you”—than perform a surgery, but to mean it is a different story. With so many bitter encounters which leave you with more questions than answers, it might seem the only way to let go is to have a lobotomy.
Jesus offers a far less invasive solution.
His cure for the soul would involve a most gruesome procedure, with the crude instruments of nails, spear, and rugged wood, but only the letting of Jesus’ holy, precious blood could earn you the clean diagnosis of full remission—of all your sins.
Jesus shares the secret to overcoming your inability to let go, when He says: “Father, forgive them for they know now what they do.” Notice, Jesus doesn’t say, “I forgive them…” The words “Father, forgive them” teaches the only way you can forgive is to first look outside yourself. That’s why He has you pray: “Forgive us our trespasses,” words which almost trick you into seeking mercy for others’ misdeeds in the same breath that you plead for yours.
Arise and walk this day renewed by the implant of “truth in the inward parts” God desires. Through faith in Jesus, you receive a forgiveness so boundless, it can’t help but overflow in how you live and treat others.
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
(Matthew 9:5) “For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Arise and walk'?”
Easy For Jesus
Easy For Jesus
“Easier said than done!” In other words, it’s easier to be skeptical than be let down—yet again. Businesses don’t follow through on their word. Loved ones break their promises. Friends tell you what they think you want to hear rather than the truth. No wonder why we tend to doubt things which sound too good to be true, waiting to see the results before really believing.
This is why it was so hard for the scholars of Jesus’ day to accept He could forgive sins. Anyone could say it. Only God can do it.
So in order to prove the power of His Word (and Himself the Son of God), Jesus not only said but did, throughout three years of public miracles. As Maker of heaven and earth, He had the power to recreate, to make bodies whole again. And as the Savior of all mankind, He has the power to forgive, to restore your soul as well. So unlike us, His words accomplish whatever they say. Have confidence in what He promises. The One who died and rose again for you will always follow through.
“Your sins be forgiven you” or “Arise and walk”? Each equally easy for Jesus, trust His Word for both. The Savior who forgives you this day, to get up and go about your work in good conscience, will just as surely raise you at the last to walk about and eternally enjoy a glorious new creation.
Forgive our sins, Lord, we implore,
Remove from us their burden sore,
As we their trespasses forgive
Who by offenses us do grieve.
Thus let us dwell in charity
And serve our brother willingly.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 458:6)
Christ healing the paralytic at Capernaum by Bernhard Rode 1780.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlBOmQ1PaMY
The TV Chosen has seen wide acclaim among Christians. I believe this video is an example of the overall effect of the series. Several non-scriptural allowances don't add to the power of the story and seem more of an attempt to make the Bible politically correct.
Matthew 9:1-8
Matthew 9:1-8
Jesus Forgives Sins
Jesus Forgives Sins
9 Jesus got into a boat, crossed over, and came to his own town. 2 There people brought to him a man who was paralyzed, lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Take heart, son! Your sins are forgiven.”
3 Then some of the experts in the law said among themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”
4 Since Jesus knew their thoughts, he said, “Why are you thinking evil in your hearts? 5 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 6 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,” he then said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your stretcher, and go home.”
7 The man got up and went home. 8 When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe and glorified God, who had given such authority to men.
Mark 2: 1-12
Mark 2: 1-12
Jesus Forgives Sins
Jesus Forgives Sins
2 When Jesus again entered Capernaum some days later, people heard that he was home. 2 So many people were gathered together that there was no more room, not even by the door, and he was speaking the word to them. 3 Some people came to him bringing a paralyzed man, carried by four men. 4 Since they could not bring the man to Jesus because of the crowd, they dug through the roof above where he was. When they had made an opening, they lowered the stretcher on which the paralyzed man was lying. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
6 But there were some experts in the law sitting there and thinking in their hearts, 7 “Why does this fellow speak like this? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins except God alone?”
8 Jesus immediately knew in his spirit that they were thinking this way within themselves. He asked them, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier: to tell the paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your stretcher, and walk’? 10 But, so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralyzed man, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your stretcher, and go home.”
12 At once the man got up, picked up the stretcher, and went out in front of everyone. So they were all amazed and glorified God. They said, “We have never seen anything like this!”
Luke 5:17-26
Luke 5:17-26
Jesus Forgives Sins
Jesus Forgives Sins
17 On one of the days while Jesus was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. The power of the Lord was with him to heal. 18 Just then, men who were carrying a paralyzed man on a stretcher tried to bring him in and lay him in front of Jesus. 19 Since they did not find a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him down through the tiles on his stretcher into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. 20 When he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins have been forgiven.”
21 The experts in the law and the Pharisees began to think to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins except God alone?”
22 But Jesus knew their thoughts and answered them, “Why are you thinking this in your hearts? 23 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins have been forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 24 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. . .” He said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your stretcher, and go home.”
25 Immediately, he stood up in front of them, picked up what he had been lying on, and went home glorifying God. 26 They were all astonished and glorified God. They were also filled with reverence and said, “We have seen wonderful things today.”
Questions:
The Miracle of Forgiveness,. PF Nolting JT "Consider the forgiveness of sins. That is a spiritual reality: Only God can and does forgive sins. But who of us has heard this word of forgiveness directly and personally from the lips of God? Who has sat in the heavenly courtroom and observed and recorded the trial of the sinner—the accusation against him, his unconditioned confession of guilt, and then his real pardon? Forgiveness is a very real divine spiritual reality. Yet it cannot be perceived or apprehended by the senses. But God must and does succeed in conveying that which is imperceptible to man's senses to man. How does God achieve this miracle? "
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