July 28, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 32, 130, 139
Joshua 9:22-10:15
Romans 15:14-24
Matthew 27:1-10

II. Selections
Psalm 32:5
Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not hide my iniquity;
I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,"
and you forgave the guilt of my sin.
Selah

Joshua 9:25
And now we are in your hand: do as it seems good and right in your sight to do to us." [ The Gibeonites to Joshua]

Romans 15:14
I myself feel confident about you, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another.

Matthew 27:4
[ Judas] said, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." But [ the chief priests and the elders] said, "What is that to us? See to it yourself."

III. Meditation: More to forgive, yet more forgiving

Paul expressed confidence in the goodness
of the Christians in Rome-
was he being diplomatic?
Who in your eyes is good?

The Gibeonites cast themselves on the mercy of Joshua
after he had forced a confession from them.
Joshua was more merciful than many-
certainly more sympathetic than the chief priests to Judas.

We have more transgressions to confess to you
than to any human being;
from you we cannot hide our iniquity;
yet you are more forgiving than any human.