And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have wrought with you for my name’s sake, not according to your wicked ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD. (Eze 20:44 KJV)

I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake. (1Jo 2:12 KJV)

The gospel can be summarized with these few words: “Your sins are forgiven +” It is that great game changer that has turned the world on its head. God’s gracious way of dealing with our iniquity, rebellion and downright godlessness has shed light upon darkness, changed despair into hope and brings life out of death. It’s very ancient magic as C.S. Lewis says in Narnia or something to that effect. God’s only begotten son, the lion of Judah and the true morningstar overcoming evil with good, destroying the powerful cunning of the satanic foe through his vicarious sacrifice of suffering deceit, torment and dying on the cross – only to rise again victorious on the 3rd day.  This he has done for us and the whole world. Giving himself as a “propitiation for our sins” as we regularly sing during Matins with the responsory for lent and going on: “He was delivered up to death; He was delivered for the sins of the people… O come let us worship him.” (LSB 222)

All this he did for his own name’s sake. “Immanuel” – God with us and not against us! “Jesus” – our saviour and redeemer from all evil and bringer of life ans salvation! “Jehovah” – he is, who he is – our Lord and God, the same yesterday, today and tomorrow – who delivers his people and frees them from all bondage and heals all their diseases. He carries out his mission faithfully, completing it for the benefit of his people and granting them goodness, peace and mercy to live with him eternally in bliss, joy and praise of his saving grace and favour.

“O Savior, Precious Savior” by Francis R. Havergal, 1836-1879

1. O Savior, precious Savior,
Whom, yet unseen, we love;
O Name of might and favor,
All other names above.
We worship Thee, we bless Thee,
To Thee, O Christ, we sing;
We praise Thee and confess Thee,
Our holy Lord and King.

2. O Bringer of salvation,
Who wondrously has wrought
Thyself the revelation
Of love beyond our thought,
We worship Thee, we bless Thee,
To Thee, O Christ, we sing;
We praise Thee and confess Thee,
Our holy Lord and King.

3. In Thee all fulness dwelleth,
All grace and power divine;
The glory that excelleth,
O Son of God, is Thine.
We worship Thee, we bless Thee,
To Thee, O Christ, we sing;
We praise Thee and confess Thee,
Our holy Lord and King.

4. Oh, grant the consummation
Of this our song above
In endless adoration
And everlasting love!
We worship Thee, we bless Thee,
To Thee, O Christ, we sing;
We praise Thee and confess Thee,
Our holy Lord and King.

Hymn #352  The Lutheran Hymnal Text: 1 Pet. 1:8 Author: Francis R. Havergal, 1870
Composer: Arthur H. Mann, 1881 Tune: “Angel’s Story”