Binding and Loosing
Wednesday’s Verse:
From Matthew 18:18 ESV
(Jesus said) “Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Matthew 18:18 contains a remarkable promise from Jesus. He gives His Church the authority to “bind” and “loose”—that is, to retain sins from those who refuse to repent and to forgive sins for the sake of Christ to those who repent and believe.
This is not the Church claiming authority over Christ, nor is it a human invention for controlling consciences. Christ Himself speaks and acts through His Word. The authority belongs to Him; He graciously places its exercise in the Church’s hands.
Lutherans confess that this “Office of the Keys” has been given to the whole Church. In the Small Catechism, Luther explains that Christ has given His Church the authority “to forgive the sins of repentant sinners, but to withhold forgiveness from the unrepentant as long as they do not repent.” Pastors exercise this office publicly in the congregation, but the treasure itself is the Gospel: the forgiveness purchased by Jesus’ death and resurrection.
The words of absolution, then, are no mere encouragement. When the pastor says, “I forgive you all your sins,” he speaks Christ’s own promise into a sinner’s ears. Faith does not rest on the worthiness of the pastor or the emotional strength of the penitent, but on Jesus’ unshakable Word: If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven.
Matthew 18 also reminds us that binding is never the Church’s goal. Discipline seeks repentance; repentance receives forgiveness; forgiveness restores the sinner to fellowship. Christ’s desire is not to cast away the lost sheep but to bring that sheep home.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Merciful Father, You have entrusted Your Church with the precious message of forgiveness. Grant us the strength to hold fast to this blessing and proclaim it throughout our lives. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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