Wednesday of Lent 1

Wednesday of Lent 1, 21 February 2018 Jonah 3:1-10

The People of Nineveh Repent. The key verse is verse 10, “When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.”  Who repents? Both God as well as the people. The people turned form their evil ways while God relented from the disaster He had promised. He did not do it.

From the catechism we are reminded, “Confession embraces two parts: the one is, that we confess our sins; the other, that we receive absolution, or forgiveness, from the confessor, as from God Himself, and in no wise doubt, but firmly believe, that our sins are thereby forgiven before God in heaven.”

The gift of Absolution lies in the focused and unequivocal declaration of the full forgiveness of sins, accomplished for us by Jesus Christ. When we receive the forgiveness of sins, we receive life and salvation along with it. Christians live from the forgiveness of sins! Confession might be good for the soul but forgiveness is even better! Never underestimate the power of true repentance. It unlocks the kingdom of heaven, but it also is the first step in establishing communion with God, the first step in becoming “fully alive.”

Hymn: Jesus Sinners Doth Receive (Lutheran Service Book 609:5)
Oh, how blest it is to know;
Where as scarlet my transgression;
It shall be as white as snow
By Thy blood and bitter passion;
For these words I now believe:
Jesus sinners doth receive.

Bless us, O God, in this holy season, in which our hearts seek Your help and healing; and so purify us by Your discipline that we may grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Collect for Wednesday of Lent 1,  http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm