Daily Lectionary: Numbers 16:1-22; St. Luke 19:11-28
“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8)
In the name of Jesus. Amen. Sometimes it’s important to take a close look at what a Biblical text does NOT mean, before we can make sense of what it does mean. This passage from 1 Peter is one of those cases.
St. Peter is not telling us that if we commit a sin, but have good intentions, like love, the sin is okay. Many have no doubt used this passage to excuse their sinful actions. For example, consider euthanasia or “mercy killing.” “I loved her, so I put an end to her misery.” Murder is not love!
Love also does not excuse or ignore another’s sin. That would not be love at all. To ignore sin gives the false impression that it is okay, and perhaps even paves the way for that person’s condemnation. Love calls sin what it is, for the purpose of repentance and the forgiveness of sins.
St. Peter begins this section of his epistle saying, “The end of all things is near,” (1 Peter 4:7). In light of that, he encourages us to love one another, and in so doing, to glorify God. That’s what St. Peter wants you to remember in these last days between our Lord’s ascension and His return to judge the living and the dead.
God’s love for you covers not only a multitude of sins, but all the sins of the world. His love in Christ covers all of your sins, because Christ paid for your sins and the sins of the whole world when He gave Himself up to death on the Cross. He rose again so that you would no longer be in your sins.
As we walk with one another in Christ’s love, we forgive one another, just as God, in Christ, forgives us. We pray the same thing quite often in the Lord’s Prayer: “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” The Old Adam can’t forgive and forget, but the new person that you are in Christ can.
You are clothed with Christ in Baptism and filled with the Holy Spirit. It is no longer you, but Christ living in you. So it is for your Christian brother. When you forgive someone for the sins he has done against you, Christ’s love, “covers” the sins they have done against you, too. “To Him be glory and dominion forever and ever,” (1 Peter 4:11). In the name of Jesus. Amen.
“Forgive our sins, Lord, we implore, That they may trouble us no more; We, too, will gladly those forgive Who hurt us by the way they live. Help us in our community To serve each other willingly.” (LSB #766, verse 6)
Easter 2007 Reflections were written by the Rev. Joel Fritsche, Admissions Counselor at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO.