Jesus began to show his disciples that he MUST go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. (Matthew 16)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Jesus MUST go to the CROSS. It is NECESSARY. There is no other way for your salvation. Adam’s sin brought condemnation on all. We are born sinful and unclean. Sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned. (Romans 5)
Jesus’ face is set resolutely on the CROSS. Jesus marches to His death. Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. (John 1) God's righteous anger burns against sin. The Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53)
God’s wrath against law breaking sinners. But Christ is your substitute – to take the wrath of God for you. Before Christ’s Crucifixion, Jesus prayed. “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26) Jesus prays this three times. THY WILL BE DONE. Jesus takes the cup filled with the wrath of God and He drinks it down to the dregs. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5)
On Good Friday's Tree all the sins of the world are buried in the Body of Christ. Jesus kills your sin on the Cross. Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. (1 Timothy 1)
Christ prays from the Cross for you. “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23)
The Holy Absolution. Your Pastors are sent by God to proclaim to the penitent sinner that their sins are forgiven ALL FOR CHRIST’S SAKE. The Good News of the GOSPEL.
If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld. (John 20)
The forgiveness of sins is the GOSPEL TREASURE. Christians are to speak this word of forgiveness one to another. As Jesus taught you in the Lord's Prayer. "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us."
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4)
You have been reconciled to God. Living in the forgiveness of sin. Forgive those who sin against you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
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)