"Remember What?"
A sermon for Lent 5 revised from a 2003 version.
Rev. Kurt Hering, Pastor
Trinity Lutheran Church
Layton, Utah
TEXT: Jeremiah 31:34 "No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his
brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' because they will all know me, from the
least of them to the greatest," declares the LORD. "For I will forgive their
wickedness and will remember their sins no more."
Today's text is one of those apparent contradictions in Scripture. If, as
His Holy Word says, God knows everything how then can that same Holy Word
also say that God "will remember their sins no more?"
Apart from the cross this makes no sense. But in light of Christ and the
cross, it makes perfect sense. The cross changes everything for us because
it changes our relationship with God the Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ. The cross is the altar upon which the very Son of God performed the
high priestly sacrifice that visited the eternal wrath of God on the One who
shed His blood.
5So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was
appointed by him who said to him, "You are my Son,
today I have begotten you"; 6as he says also in another place, "You are a
priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek."
7In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with
loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was
heard because of his reverence. 8Although he was a son, he learned obedience
through what he suffered. 9And being made perfect, he became the source of
eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10being designated by God a high
priest after the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 5:5-10
The altar of the cross is where the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God,
appointed by the Father to be both High Priest and Sacrificial Lamb was made
perfect. That is, the altar of the cross is where His mission-the salvation
of the world-is accomplished. On the altar of the cross, the perfect One
without blemish or spot of His own, cries out "Tetelestai--It is finished!
My work is complete."
The perfection of God has been sacrificed for the perfection of sinners.
"And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all
who obey him."
And dear baptized, because of this perfect sacrifice The God who knows
everything, every one of your sins-including even the ones you don't know or
think are sins-because His beloved Son sacrificed His perfect life for you
on the cross--this God who sees the darkest most secret things of your soul,
forgives all your wickedness and remembers your sins no more.
What is the worst thing that has ever happened to you?
a.. Toothache, earache, tonsilitis, appendicitis?
b.. Bad breakup with boyfriend, girlfriend?
c.. Fail a test or get a dreaded flag on your report card?
d.. Auto accident, heart attack, cancer?
Death of a grandparent, parent or spouse?
All these are bad, but you know even in the midst of these things, if you
were to get a sliver, stub your toe, or get poked in the eye--at least for a
moment--you would remember these other things no more.
Now, what is the worst thing that could ever happen to you? Death? No! Not
really.
Virtually any parent will tell you that the worst thing that could possibly
happen would be the death of a child. Whether by auto accident, cancer, war,
miscarriage, murder, suicide, even abortion--the death of a child is
something that you never forget. I think I can safely say that for anyone
who has been through such tragedy, not a day goes by in which they don't
think of that horrible experience.
And therein lies the answer to how God could remember our sins no more. He
gave His One and only Son to die for us. And that Son, now risen from the
grave and ascended at His right hand, pleads on our behalf-dearest Father,
remember how I suffered for them? Remember how I poured out my very blood
for them? Remember how I gave my life for them? Remember how you took out
all your hate, all your wrath, and all your vengeance against sin and
sinners on me that day on Calvary-on that cursed cross? Oh Father, forgive
them. It is finished. Forgive their wickedness and remember their sin no
more.
And with that reminder of His Son's sacrificial death, with which our Savior
pleads for us without ceasing before the throne of His Father, that is all
that the Father sees when He sees us. For the sake of His One and only
crucified and risen Son, He sees us as His children--by faith in His grace
poured out for us in Word and Sacrament.
Yet anyone who would dare to call upon Him, seek His face or aspire to walk
through the gate of His heavenly abode apart from faith in His Son, returns
to the wickedness that has been forgiven. Anyone who insists upon calling
attention to his own good works--no matter how helpful and kind--instead of
pleading for mercy in the name of God's sacrificial Lamb, calls back to the
Father's mind what had been forgotten--the sin that is blotted out by the
mere mention of His beloved Son, Jesus Christ.
Look at the cross dear brothers and sisters. The cross is where God's life
intersects with ours. This is the crux of life. The crossbar is our life as
we walk the earth. The standard is the ever living God coming down into our
life. And it doesn't stop on earth, but continues down into the grave and
even the very depths of hell. And, of course, at the center, the crux of it
all, is Jesus Christ--Son of God and Son of Man.
When we point to ourselves, we insult God and condemn ourselves by our own
boasting. But when we look to Christ, the Father looks at us and sees His
Son as well. He sees His Son on the cross and remembers our sin no more. May
you ever see Him there as well, even as He welcomes you to heaven and
forgives you all of your sins-in the name of the Father and of the Son, and
of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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