Liturgy for Life : WK 3 - FRI

Forgiveness And Resurrection

2 Timothy 2:8-11
Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.
This is a trustworthy saying:
If we die with him,
   we will also live with him.

This week has been filled with a challenge. To install a practice of confession in our life is difficult. To forgive others takes courage. Trying to deal with the messiness of trespasses in our life can feel like exhausting suffering. But our promise today reminds us that forgiveness lives in the same realm as resurrection. We forgive others hoping that the transformative new life we experience can be Good News in our friendships. We are transparent and open in our time with Jesus because we believe it leads to new life in him.

When I was in high school, I remember being part of an amazing youth worship service at camp meeting. The adults were in the building across the field, and I guess our worship sounded like noise to them. And so one of the church leaders (everyone knew who he was) stomped into the youth building, walked to the soundboard, and started frantically moving all the sliders down. We turned around to see the church leader, standing at the booth in his suit, clearly upset. So we did what all youth would do, we booed him. We rightly thought that the way we were worshiping was true, honest, and right. I remember thinking “this might not be the church for me.”

The next morning as my friends and I filled the youth tent for morning worship, there was the church leader at the front of the room. He stood awkwardly with his suit on, waiting for all of us to arrive. What he did next shocked us. He opened up with the words “I’m sorry…” and started crying. He apologised for his actions, and told us he tossed and turned all night realising the damage he had done. He asked for forgiveness, and told us that even though last night didn’t show it, he believed that the youth are the future of the church. He stayed with us the whole youth service. At the end he stood at the door and shook every high schoolers hands saying, “I’m so sorry, forgive me, the church needs you.” I remember thinking “This is the church for me.”

Confession and forgiveness have power. It is the very essence of the gospel, the good news that Jesus died to extend forgiveness and mercy to us. Let’s make it a habit in our daily rhythm. New life will follow.