Over and over again in the gospels we find Jesus face to face with a person in need of healing, in need of reconciliation with God, a person whose soul is burdened.  Have you ever noticed that Jesus never says, “If you confess, I will forgive you?”

Jesus always knew that that person had been repenting for a long time, or the burden would not have been so crippling.  He would look them in the eye and say, “Your sins are forgiven.”

And today, here in this place, face to face with God, we too may be assured  that we are forgiven.