April 9, 2024
Today’s Reading: 1 John 1:1-2:2
Daily Lectionary: Exodus 23:14-33, Luke 4:31-44
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8-9)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Last Sunday’s Epistle reading from 1 John has a familiar couple of verses if you’re used to using Divine Service, settings One or Two. As we prepare to confess our sins, we speak responsively verses eight and nine from chapter one. But have you ever stopped to think how strange it is that Christians regularly confess our sins?
People without faith don’t generally confess to having done anything wrong. Our sinful hearts train us from birth to justify our every action. The toddler who knocks over the lamp blames his stuffed animal. When that excuse doesn’t work, he learns to make his self-justification more believable next time. Even at ten years old, he has learned to be ready to explain why he’s done every action, just in case anyone questions him. Self-justification is such a part of our lives in this world, that we expect it from everyone.
No one confesses to having done anything wrong, at least not in any meaningful way. People might admit to doing something that everyone else does, or something that has no actual consequences. Someone famous, when caught doing something really bad, might make an apology tour. Not because they think they did anything wrong, but it’s the price to pay to retain their fame, money, or power.
When someone does end up doing something that they can’t justify, it breaks them. They live the rest of their lives in regret, in grief, in despair. It drives them to madness, and they believe that they are without hope, without forgiveness, without mercy, because they recognize that they have sinned, and they cannot fix that.
But Christians confess their sins all the time, and we don’t fall into madness or despair over it. Why? Because not only do we know we have sinned, we also know that God is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Christ Jesus has taken all our sin away. He paid sin’s price. He died on the cross in our place. And He’s given us His perfect life in exchange. That good news overcomes our attempts of self-justification. That good news overcomes our despair. That good news is for you. And we trust our Lord enough to confess all our sins to Him, knowing that He has already forgiven all. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
I lay my sins on Jesus, The spotless Lamb of God; He bears them all and frees us
From the accursed load. I bring my guilt to Jesus To wash my crimson stains
Clean in His blood most precious Till Not a spot remains. (LSB 606:1)
– Pastor Eli Davis is pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Grants Pass, Oregon.
Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.
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