The Mystery of God’s Love

All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. . . . Do not be angry beyond measure, LORD; do not remember our sins forever. Oh, look on us, we pray, for we are all your people. Isaiah 64:6,9

We have just entered the final month of the year. And with another calendar year drawing to a close, we have an opportunity to reflect on what has passed. What are the events that come to mind as you think back? No doubt there were some fun times, gatherings with family, achievements at work, making new friends. But as you think about it, some negative events might come to mind too.

In fact, it probably is easier to reflect on our failings than our accomplishments. And that’s because, as Isaiah reminds us, everyone has been corrupted by sin. All our best attempts to do as God wills are filthy. Every act by our sinful nature is an act against our perfect God. Because of who we are by birth, we are filthy before God.

But Isaiah reminds us about the mystery of God’s love—that through the gift of his Son Jesus, he has removed our sin.

We cry out to a God who hears us: “Don’t remember our sins.” And how much better this is than God simply forgetting our sin. The omniscient God, who knows all things, chooses not to remember our failings.

One thing he does remember, though, is who we are. We are his people. He made us so in our baptism. Just as the Savior born in Bethlehem is God’s own Son, we too are part of God’s own family.

It is not because of who we are by birth, but because of what God has made us, that now we are his people. We have been washed clean in God’s sight. The same grace, mercy, and love that led him to send his Son into this world of sin to free us from it is with us each day. That is the depth of the mystery of God’s love.

Dear Father in heaven, we praise you for the displays of love that you have lavished upon this world. Through the work of Christ, you do not see us as filthy. Rather, you see us as clothed with Jesus’ righteousness. Amen.

Rev. Nicolas Schmoller serves Martin Luther College
as a professor of theology and Greek.