From the Pastor
For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?
Our answer: of course saying “your sins are forgiven” is easier to say than “rise and walk,” especially when speaking to a paralytic.
But for our Lord, speaking the words "your sins are forgiven" is more difficult. For Jesus, saying “your sins are forgiven” means that He will suffer, He will die on the cross, and He will be buried in a grave.
What a treasure we have in the Lord’s Word of Absolution, “your sins are forgiven.”
This is why Luther, in the Large Catechism says that we should be willing to run 100 miles to hear the absolution! These are the greatest words you can hear from God, “your sins are forgiven.” We should be willing, in other words, to give up everything to hear those words, to be reminded of them often, even though we may know them well.
Do not despise preaching and His Word! Come to the Divine Service! Receive forgiveness for your sins!
See you Sunday!
+Pastor Gaub
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