Every Wednesday at Christ Lutheran School, we all gather into the Sanctuary for our weekly chapel. Chapel is typically led by one of the grade levels. This week 3rd grade taught us the importance of caring for God's creation. They did a great job.
But my favorite part of chapel every week is when one of our students, of any given age, stands up in the pulpit and announces to the entire school, "You are forgiven. We are the forgiven people of God."
10 words.
I'm not even sure -- depending on the age -- that the kid saying those words fully comprehends what they are saying and doing in that moment.
That's what makes it so beautiful to me.
It makes me think of Psalm 8:
"O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger."
What an amazing God we have! That He would chose something so silly and foolish looking, like a child in a pulpit, to demonstrate His awesome power. And it's exactly the absurdity of that image that demonstrates the way God has chosen to work, and will continue to work. God uses the weak to defy the strength of the enemy.
Foolishness. It's all foolishness!
No comprehension needed. No Masters of Divinity. No special vestments or a clerical collar. Just believe that Jesus has done the work. He's died a foolish death.
Believe that He is Risen!
By faith, receive the gift that only God can give -- forgiveness. Then go and give it all away.