Cross | Pardon
The cross is God’s forgiveness for sinful people. The cross means substitution—his life for your life. It means justification—justice is attained by his sacrifice in your place and for your sins. It means forgiveness, that what you deserve for your offenses has been taken on by another.
The gospel as pardon is thrilling news for those who are overwhelmed with guilt. This is gospel for those who are tortured with shame. For those who are nagged by conviction. For those who feel dirty over their thoughts, words, or deeds. For those who feel that there is no way that a good God could love a bad person. For those who feel that every bad thing that happens is God punishing for the bad things they’ve done. The cross: God’s pardon for us.
Invocation
Make the sign of the cross and say,
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Invitation Prayer
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you” (Psalm 143:8).
Jesus came that we might receive pardon and forgiveness. Our sins haunt us with guilt and shame. We confess that we too often cower in fear instead of living in joy. John writes, “There is no fear in love…for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love” (John 4:18).
Consider your sin and fear this day: Fear of failing.
Now consider the pardon of the cross of Christ: “In this is love, not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins” (I John 4:10). God’s love is proven to you in sacrifice. Wood and nails, sweat and blood, pain and a last breath. By the death and resurrection of Jesus, fear is confronted and cast out. With no conditions or strings attached, you are loved by God!
Word
“Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and cry to her
that her warfare is ended,
that her iniquity is pardoned,
that she has received from the Lord’s hand
double for all her sins.” (Isaiah 40:2)
Meditation
“Justice and Guilt verses Mercy and Grace” by Brett Hartmann
God is just. A justice system, properly administered, gives punishments for criminals that fit the crime. Simply put, justice is getting what one deserves because of their actions. In Christianity, we understand that “for the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Death is the true and right punishment for sin.
Mercy is pardon. Mercy does not say that the crime did not occur. Rather, mercy fully acknowledges that there was a crime, and punishment is deserved. This is a key element of mercy. A wrong was committed, and the punishment is proper. But mercy says, “I pardon you.” In olden days, kings had the power to pardon. In Biblical context, Jesus has this power. Only the judge can pardon.
I think C.S. Lewis was on to something with his essay entitled, “The Humanitarian Theory of Punishment.” He defends the classical understanding of mercy tempering justice. He says, “The essential act of mercy was to pardon; and pardon in its very essence involves the recognition of guilt and ill-desert in the recipient.” But he argues that in today’s world, “the Humanitarian theory wants simply to abolish Justice and substitute Mercy for it.”
It is important that we do not abolish justice. It is important that we recognize our guilt and that we are convicted. We must realize that. Because, only at that point, do we need Jesus’ mercy and pardon. Only when we comprehend the direness of our situation can we understand and give thanks for the love of Jesus. Jesus says, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:31-32).
God extends his grace to us through his mercy. During this advent season, may we extend grace to others as well. When we are wronged, we are right to acknowledge the wrong. But we also do well to extend grace to our fellow brothers and sisters, as Christ has done for us. In a world that loves to condemn, may we be a people of grace.
Closing Prayer
Dear Jesus, as we await your arrival at Advent, help us to understand the depths of our sin and our need for you. Help us to understand that we are guilty, but that by the cross, you extend us your mercy. You forgive and pardon our sins. Help us to respond with gratitude to this great news, and help us to show your grace to others. Amen.