Understanding Liturgy #2

Confession and Absolution

It is only through the forgiveness of sins that we enter into the life of heaven. To confess our sins is to speak the truth about our lives. God seeks that truth in the heart and on the lips. To confess our sin is to say “Amen” to God’s just verdict that we have sinned against Him and so deserve only death and hell (1 John 1:8-10).

The truth of our sinfulness is answered by the truth of God’s forgiveness for the sake of the suffering and death of His Son. From the lips of a man “called and ordained” as a servant of the Word, we hear God himself speaking absolution, that is the forgiveness of sins. To that forgiveness faith says “Amen”, that is, “Truth” or “Let it be so”. Amen is the great word of worship; it indicates that the gift has been received (John 20:19-23).

Edited slightly from "A Narrative Commentary on the Divine Service" by John T. Pless, published as Appendix A in "The Defense Never Rests" by Craig A. Parton.