When I graduated from college, it was required
for all of us who were to go on to study at the seminary to have an interview
with the president of our respective church districts (something like a bishop). I was thoroughly intimidated. This man would be the final obstacle before I
could go on and pursue becoming a pastor.
What if he said, “No.”? What if
he felt I wasn’t good enough? What if he
asked me a theological question I couldn’t answer? Would I have to go back home humiliated?
I was ushered into the president’s
office at my appointment time. He got up
from his desk, smiling, shook my hand and said, “Eric, it is good to meet
you. Let’s talk about pastoral ministry.” And we did for the next 30 minutes or
so. It was a good talk; a friendly
talk. I walked away wondering, “What was
I afraid for?”
We often lack confidence when we deal
with people who are our supervisors or have authority over us. (If you can’t relate to that: bless you!)
This lack of confidence spills over into our relationship with God,
which, if there is anyone who should intimidate us; it is Him! But Hebrews 10 says, “… since we have
confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus … let us draw near
with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean
from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”
We have confidence to go into the holy
places – into God’s presence – because Jesus has offered the perfect final
offering to forgive our sins and lawlessness.
“Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering
for sin.” That forgiveness is the only
thing that sanctifies us – that is, makes us holy. No work or deed that we can perform with
sprinkle our hearts clean or assuage our guilty consciences. Indeed, we must be washed with “pure water.” (And how could water be more pure than when
connected to and combined with God’s Word in Baptism?)
This is the hope and confession that we
hold on to: He who promised, Jesus
Himself, if faithful and therefore we are forgiven.
Lord Jesus, You have washed my sins
away. Help me to cling to Your
work. Help me be faithful through Your
salvation. Amen.
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