Forgiven

by Robert Mohns

Forgiven. There is no sweeter word given by God to fallen, broken people than that! In this world of cultural upheaval, accentuated by COVID hyper-anxiety and our propensity to travel down a myriad of rabbit holes that lead us into a plethora of sins, we need to hear our God speak His Word of truth and life and mercy: “your sins are forgiven you.”

The Greco-Roman culture was in decline. Licentiousness and greed were rising. Power players were forming a new republic, no longer undercover, but now in plain sight to all. The era was marked by great upheaval amid great advancements. In the midst of this, God raised up for Himself the Apostle Peter and the other apostles as witnesses of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. They heralded this Good News on Pentecost in the backwater province of Judea in Jerusalem, a despised city of the Roman Empire.

[Peter said:] “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” | Acts 2:36-38

Forgiveness. There is no sweeter word given by God to fallen, broken people than that!

It must have been jarring, unfathomable, for the friends of the paralytic man to hear this word applied to their broken-bodied friend. Here was a man who knew intimately what it was like to live his life trapped in a broken world, in a broken body held captive to sin and death.

And when Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” | Mark 2:5

Though we do not know the exact circumstances of her situation, we do know of a woman, identified as a sinner, who came to Jesus, and who in repentant faith offered Him her tears of worship to wash His feet, anointing His feet also with ointment. Jesus applied His Word to her as well.

Your sins are forgiven. | Luke 7:48

Forgiveness. There is no sweeter word given by God to fallen, broken people than that!

It is the Word that our living Lord applies to you, friend. For you who are physically, mentally, and emotionally broken and battered. For you who suffer as fallen and broken people in a fallen and broken world. For you who find your life trapped in sin and death. Jesus applies His Word to you: “you are forgiven.” There is no sweeter word given by God to fallen, broken people than that!

As we reflect on the season of upheaval we are going through, we too take Peter’s word to heart. In thought, word, and deed we acknowledge that we are the cause of Jesus’ crucifixion. He died in our place, the Righteous One for the unrighteous.

Think of the ways you have deserted Christ to follow the new culture and its enticing promises. Think of the broken relationships you have been involved in. It’s not hard; COVID has brought out the chief of sinners in us all. Think of the disagreements with others you have had. Think of the things you have thought, said, and done that have injured a brother or sister. Think of your searing and often caustic judgements. Your selfjustifications. Think of your lingering bitterness and growing hardness of heart. Think of the disunity you have caused in the body of Christ, your nit-picking ways, your cutting speech, your agency to create suspicion, your gossip. Think of your disregard for those in authority, those who have sought to serve you in the public sphere, in your workplaces, home, and church.

The list of sin is long and runs deep. My own body recoils from the thought of pulling that log out of my eye.

The crowds whom the Lord had gathered to hear Peter speak asked, “What then must we do?” This too is the question the Holy Spirit leads us to ask in our day.

In an ever-changing world, the Word of God remains ever true: “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).

God continues to apply His Word to us through His Spirit and by the ministry of those He calls into the Office of Holy Ministry, and by those whom He calls and gathers into His holy communion. He calls us to repentance and to a life lived in the baptismal grace that has flooded over us. He gives you that sweet word to speak to your family, friends, co-workers, fellow church members, and neighbours: forgiven.

There is no sweeter word given by God to fallen, broken people than that! May the Gospel of Christ flood your hearts and minds, and may it season all that you think, say, do. Your sins are forgiven in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Rev. Robert Mohns

Rev. Robert Mohns is Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC)'s West Regional Pastor.