1 John 1:5-10
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 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. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (ESV)
Highest Worship
Wednesday of Pentecost 4
23 June 2010
The church is never the community of the good people. It is and remains the community of cleansed sinners. Our contrition for our sin is not a blotch on the name of God or a slur on the reputation of the holy church. On the contrary, our willingness to repent and be sorry for our sin and wickedness is to God's glory because He is the God who forgives and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. This is to give glory to the forgiving God: give Him our sin that He might give us His righteousness in Christ. The highest worship of Christ is to be forgiven by Him and trust Him alone for our salvation. Cyril points to the power of baptism to forgive in his baptismal homily.
Cyril of Jerusalem
"Whatever you have done shall be forgiven, whether it is fornication, or adultery, or any other such form of licentiousness. What can be a greater sin than to crucify Christ? Yet even from this baptism can purify. So said Peter to the three thousand who came to him, to those who had crucified the Lord, when they asked him, saying, 'Men and brothers, what shall we do?' (Acts 2:37) For the wound is great. You have made us think of our fall, Peter, by saying, 'You killed the Prince of Life' (Acts 3:15). What salve is there for so great a wound? What cleansing for such foulness? What is the salvation for such perdition? 'Repent,' Peter said, '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). O unspeakable loving-kindness of God! They have no hope of being saved, and yet they are thought worthy of the Holy Spirit. See the power of baptism! If any of you has crucified the Christ by blasphemous words, if any of you in ignorance has denied Him before men, if any by wicked works has caused the doctrine to be blasphemed; let him repent and be of good hope, for the same grace is present even now."
Prayer
O Lord Christ, cleanse me and I shall be clean. Amen.
For Pastor J. Bart Day, who is celebrating the anniversary of his ordination to the holy ministry today, that the Lord Jesus would keep him steadfast in the Word
For Dianne Garner, that God would grant her healing according to his good and gracious will
For the Lutheran Education Association of Houston that it might continue to support excellent Lutheran education throughout the Houston area
Art: PISANO, Andrea The Baptism of the Multitude 1330