Sunday, March 20, 2016

Palm Sunday, March 20, 2016

Palm Sunday, March 20, 2016     Forgive Us Our Trespasses                          



And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Matthew 16:18-19

Our salvation is so founded on it that, ‘the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.’ (Formula of Concord, SD XI 8)

Keys are used to lock and unlock doors. The door of heaven is opened through the forgiveness of sins. To forgive or to refuse to forgive sins. “Our people are taught that they should highly prize the Absolution as being God’s voice and pronounced by God’s command. (Augsburg Confession XXV 3).[1]

What do we confess when we pray this petition? We confess that we sin every day and deserve nothing but punishment. What do we ask for in this petition? We ask that our Father in heaven would for Christ’s sake graciously forgive our sins.[2]

Almighty and ever living God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen[3]


[1] The Lutheran Study Bible, © 2009 Concordia Publishing House St. Louis, MO Pp.1616
[2] Luther’s Small Catechism, 5th Petition of the Lord’s Prayer © 2008 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

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