Good morning everyone:
“Who, me?” It’s that all-purpose denial of personal responsibility, isn’t it? You’re asked to pick up clothes from the bedroom floor. “Who, me? I shouldn’t have to do that.” Get the assignment done by tomorrow. “Who, me? That’s asking way too much.” Did you forget to put gas in the car? “Who, me?”
Have you ever said that to God? Peter did. Jesus told the disciples that they would all fall away on account of Him. Peter responded, “Who, me? Never, Lord! Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” Yet we know what happened. When a parent, pastor, teacher, or Christian friend points out that you need to recognize and repent of sin in your life, do you find yourself saying, “Who, me? I haven’t done anything wrong.” Do you try to deflect the attention and blame onto someone else? When Paul says: “There is no one righteous, not even one…There is no one who does good, not even one…All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:10ff.), do you see yourself included under that condemnation?
When we say to God, “Who, me?” He answers, “Yes, you! It is not just other people. You have sinned and fallen short of My righteousness in countless ways. You haven’t made My Word the priority in your life. You have followed your own desires instead of My holy will. You have harmed rather than helped those around you.” John tells us: “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us” (1 Jn. 1:8).
But then the passage continues: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 Jn. 1:9). By faith in Jesus and His sacrificial death, our defensive, hostile “Who, me?” is transformed into an awe-filled “Who, me?” as we ponder the depths of God’s grace, not just for others, but for “me.” God so loved the world, but He also loved “me.” Jesus forgave Peter for his denial, and He has also forgiven “me” for my sins. Jesus assured the repentant criminal on the cross next to Him of peace with God and eternal life in heaven. In Scripture He tells you personally that He has called you by name and you are His precious child and heir of glory.
In tomorrow’s sermon text (Lk. 13:1-9) Jesus emphasizes that repentance is not just for others, but for each one of us.
The Sunday School children will sing at the beginning of second service.
The public school confirmation class meets at 12:15.
See you tomorrow,
Pastor
