Fix your eyes on this Savior, Jesus. As you watch and struggle, know that the outcome is set: you have the victory over anything that happens to you in this world, and over the guilt that burdens you. He has seen to it for you. He invites you to keep bringing your burdens to Him. He has paid every debt. You are forgiven in Him.

God hears your heartfelt confession of sin, your pleading in the Name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness. He hears and He forgives. That’s Who He is. You plead in the Name of the one Who was punished as the greatest tyrant—the world’s most unmerciful person, so that your story plays out as if it were that imagined one we talked about earlier, the one in which the servant has mercy on his debtor—forgiving him, freeing him. It’s as if you’ve always done it perfectly. Nothing is held against you. The Law is no longer an issue; you are under the perfect grace of God. He’s the One Who made you His own in Baptism, held you close to Himself all these years as you have heard His Word here, received His Supper.

Christ’s Word is sure. Even as He said to the official in our text, “Go; your son will live” so He says to you this morning, Go in peace; I am with you always, your sins are forgiven, your every need is met, there is no danger from which God cannot protect you. Jesus was punished as the world’s greatest doubter of God’s love, and forgiveness, and faithfulness—taking your sins upon Himself, and trading you His perfect righteousness. Before God, it’s as if you have never doubted His Word. You stand before Him forgiven of every sin.

You are covered in the garment of Christ’s righteousness. He humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross to be your perfect humility before God. No one who wears this garment of Christ’s righteousness (given you in Baptism, given you in God’s Word) will be singled out as not belonging in God’s kingdom.