November 8, 2023

Today’s Reading: Luther’s Small Catechism: Confession

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 20:1-20, Matthew 15:21-39

Confession has two parts. First, that we confess our sins, and second, that we receive absolution, that is, forgiveness, from the pastor as from God Himself, not doubting, but firmly believing that by it our sins are forgiven before God in heaven.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. God doesn’t just want to forgive your sins.  He wants you to firmly believe that your sins are forgiven.  He wants to address your conscience.  Because you’re baptized, and that daily and richly forgives your sins.  But sometimes it doesn’t feel that way.  Sometimes it just clings. Scratches. Tears apart from the inside out.  That thing that you want to erase.  God wants to speak to you about it.  Tell you that it’s gone.  As far as the east is from the west.  

Guilt festers. So God speaks.  He uses your pastor to tell you.  Your sins are forgiven in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  That sin is forgiven.  Because I can walk past a group of people who start laughing and tell myself that it’s definitely not at me. But sometimes it feels better to hear for sure.  God speaks forgiveness from the outside in so that when guilt piles up, He would be able to remove it.  

See, it isn’t a question of whether you can be saved. Jesus died and rose. Your sins are forgiven. Paid for already.  The real battle ground is over your conscience.  The devil would have you look only at yourself in guilt.  God wills that you have a pure conscience, and so He gives us confession.  Go to your pastor.  Hear about forgiveness. Don’t stew in guilt.  If you wait until Sunday, fine. Your sins are forgiven. But if it keeps you awake on a Tuesday night, know that you can go earlier. God doesn’t only forgive sins an hour a week. Private confession exists to give you the same gifts whenever you need them. It isn’t about talking more about a sin you want to think about less. It’s about not having to let it hang over you until Sunday.  Private confession exists so that forgiveness is given out each day as it is needed. In all of it, though, God simply wills you firmly to believe. You don’t suffer from doubt. You don’t suffer anguish. So confess, and hear absolution.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

And though it tarry through the night And till the morning waken, My heart shall never doubt His might Nor count itself forsaken. O Israel, trust in God your Lord. Born of the Spirit and the Word, Now wait for His appearing (LSB 607:4).

– Pastor Harrison Goodman is content executive for Higher Things.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

Study Christ’s words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.