“Have mercy on me, O God.” With those words, Psalm 51 leads us to the very heart of the Christian life: repentance that cries out to God, and mercy that flows down from Him in overflowing grace. David’s confession is not an exercise in despair, but a plea rooted in trust—trust that the God who exposes our sin is also the God who delights to forgive us.

Confession and absolution stand at the very core of the Gospel. To confess is to come before the Lord with nothing but our guilt and our need; to receive absolution is to hear God Himself speak life into our dead souls. This rhythm—repentance and forgiveness—is also at the heart of Christian worship. Every Lord’s Day, Christ meets His people not merely with reminders, but with the living voice of the Gospel: you are forgiven in the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

It is no wonder that as soon as Jesus rose from the dead, His first order of business was to pronounce forgiveness to His Church, coupled with the authority of His Church to forgive sins. He breathed on His disciples and said, “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven.” The risen Lord wanted the first fruits of Easter, to be an absolution for His Church.

Martin Luther treasured this gift with deep joy. He once wrote that if he could receive private confession and absolution—even if he had to “run a hundred miles”—he would gladly do it. Why? Because he knew the power of hearing the Gospel spoken personally: “For you.” The forgiveness of sins is not an idea. It is a word placed into your ears, a promise pressed upon your conscience, a gift delivered from Christ to you.

The three greatest words the Good Shepherd speaks to sinners are: “You are forgiven!”

In that peace, we rise, restored by the mercy that only Christ can give. Amen.

Prayer – Merciful God, forgive our sins and cleanse our hearts, that we may stand renewed before You. Grant us the assurance of Your mercy in Christ, and let the words “You are forgiven” take root deeply in our lives, shaping all our thoughts, words, and deeds; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

In Christ’s service,

Rev. Richard S. Cody
Fourth Vice President, Missouri District