DAY 16: March 6, 2021 Saturday of Lent 2- Matthew 5:23-26
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.”- Matthew 5:23-26
Our only hope of reconciliation with others comes from the death and resurrection of Jesus. In Him we are made clean. Paul would remind us, “in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.-2 Corinthians 5:19 Paul further explains, “Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him."-Romans 4:8
God; in His endless love, has given His Son for you; who has assumed your nature, and died in your stead. Through Christ’s death and his glorious resurrection the Father’s anger is stilled. He is satisfied with Jesus’ work and action. God's decision to not count the sins of which we are guilty against us is a gift of His grace. Not only does faith receive this work of Christ personally; the Spirit directs and motivates us to become reconciled with others and to forgive.
From Luther’s Small Catechism we are reminded:
We pray in this petition that our Father in heaven would not look upon our sins, nor on their account deny our prayer; for we are not worthy of anything we ask, neither have we deserved it. But we pray that He would give us everything by grace, for we daily sin much and deserve nothing but punishment; and we on our part will heartily forgive and readily do good to those who sin against us. [1]
Grant, most merciful Lord, to Your faithful people pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and serve You with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. [2]
God our Father, by your gifts to us on earth we already share in your life. In all we do, guide us to the light of your kingdom. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen [3]
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[1] Explanation for
the 5th Petition of the Lord’s Prayer, Luther’s Small Catechism copyright
© 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
[2]Collect
for Saturday of Lent 2 http://liturgues.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm
[3] Prayer for Saturday of the Week of Lent, For All the Saints
A prayer Book For and By the Church Vol.1 copyright © 1994 The America Lutheran
Publicity Bureau Delhi, NY
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