Opening Hymn
Peace to soothe our bitter woes,
God in Christ on us bestows;
Jesus bought our peace with God
With His holy, precious blood;
Peace in Him for sinners found,
Is the Gospel’s joyful sound. (ELH 595:1)
Text: John 20:19–23
Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” Now when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Then Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
Devotion
It is completely certain that Jesus has earned eternal life for all of us. He truly redeemed us all from sin, death, and the devil, and won for us eternal salvation. But now it is necessary for all who shall enjoy this salvation to come to Jesus and receive grace, so that they may experience redemption and truly live thereby. And the Lord has also taken care of this. He has given us the ministry of reconciliation and sends His servants out into all the world with the word of salvation. “As the Father sent Me, I also send you.” He did the Father’s work and procured forgiveness of sins and peace. The servants of the Word go forth on His mission with forgiveness of sins and peace for all who will repent. He Himself is present in the Word with His atoning death and His resurrection. As the Crucified and Risen One, who ascends to His glory, He says: “Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Mat 28:20). Take note of this: “always, even to the end of the age,” so not just with the Apostles, but with all their successors in the service of the Word as well. He stands and speaks peace not only with the Ten, but with all who are gathered in His name, that is: gathered around His Word and Sacraments to be edified in faith.
And His gift of peace is no empty word, it is a heavenly reality, which settles itself sweetly and powerfully in every soul who is opened to it. The Word of absolution is not a human word; it is indeed the Lord’s own Word and therefore powerful to give what it says: forgiveness of sins. The Lord tells you that all your sins are forgiven you; shouldn’t it be true then? If only you receive it with faith in your heart, then they are indeed forgiven. The word of men may deceive, but God’s Word never deceives. Don’t you hear that Jesus says He is sending His servants, just as the Father sent Him? So when the minister who gives you the gift has the real Word, then you should receive it as from Christ Himself. If the Word is there, then the Lord is there with His gift. If the Word is real, then the gift is real. Don’t let it worry you whether the minister who gives you the gift is a believer or not, as long as the Word is real. For not the minister’s faith, but Christ’s will and Word give you the treasure. If the pastor is one whom I cannot have confidence in, then I cannot entrust myself to him as my soul’s caretaker in difficult circumstances, in spiritual struggles and temptation. But otherwise I can still receive redemption through him for a blessing to my soul and defense against sin and death. Unbelieving and believing ministers the Lord shall judge; don’t let that be your concern. But let this be your concern when you are absolved, that your heart believes what you hear, the Word of the forgiveness of sins from the Lord’s mouth. For then you have indeed what the Word says to you, but whoever does not believe makes God a liar.
Closing Prayer
From this preserve us, good Holy Spirit! Amen.
Hymn
O Jesus, grant Thy grace to me
To honor e’er Thy priesthood
As highly honored as by Thee;
Thy doctrine and Thy true blood –
O may I never cast away;
Nor let my heart e’er harden,
Nor let me ever go astray
And lose Thy gracious pardon.
The Word of comfort Thou hast sent
To soothe all souls despairing,
To all whose hearts by sin are rent,
Now let my heart be hearing!
Grant me forgiveness for my sin
And loose my chains of bondage!
Then free from judgment I am seen
And shall not bear Thine umbrage.
Kingo: O Jesus Præst i Evighed L 366:4-5 tr. DeGarmeaux;
tune: Durch Adams Fall (ELH 430); alternate hymn: O faithful God, thanks be to Thee ELH 522:1.4