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The story is told of a young man, the son of a wealthy, respected
citizen, who committed a heinous crime which brought disgrace on his
family’s name and involved his family in a lawsuit that threatened to
destroy it financially. As the young man was awaiting
trial, he was deeply worried about the attitude his father would take
towards him on account of his despicable behavior. He wondered: Will my
dad disown me? Will he lash out at me in anger? One day his dad paid him
a visit at the jail. They talked about what
had happened and what a grievous offense against the Savior his sinful
conduct was. The son expressed sorrow for what he had done. His dad
looked him in the eye and with a tone of compassion in his voice, said:
“Son, I can’t condone what you did. I must condemn
it with every fiber of my being. But I am your father and I forgive
you. I am determined to suffer through this whole thing with you.”
During the Lenten season, as we trace the steps of Jesus from the Upper
Room to Gethsemane to His trials before Caiaphas and Pontius Pilate to
Golgotha, let it serve as a reminder of the heinous crimes we have
committed against our heavenly Father (our many
missteps against His holy Law) and what we deserve on account of them
(separation from Him forever in hell). But may it also be a reminder of
the soul-relieving Gospel truth that where sin abounds, God’s grace
abounds more. Through faith in the Christ of Calvary
who suffered hell’s punishment in our place we are forgiven. We may
sing with relieved and happy hearts:
Today Your mercy calls us to wash away our sin.
However great our trespass, whatever we have been,
However long from mercy our hearts have turned away,
Your precious blood can wash us and make us clean today.
Today Your gate is open, and all who enter in
Shall find a Father’s welcome and pardon for their sin.
The past shall be forgotten, a present joy be given,
A future grace be promised, a glorious crown in heaven.
(Lutheran Service Book, 915:1-2)
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