He Doesn’t Remember

There is a story about an old man who everyone thought was a little crazy. He had this habit of talking to himself in public and it was widely known that he believed that he could talk to Jesus and that Jesus would talk back to him.

A new pastor came to town and hearing about the crazy man, he thought he might be able to make him face reality. One day, as he saw this guy rambling down the street, he spoke to him and said, “I hear you talk to Jesus. Would you do me a favor?” The minister continued, “Could you ask him something for me?” “Why of course,” replied the old man. “Would you ask Jesus what the last sin was that I confessed to him?” “I certainly will,” he replied.

The next day the pastor saw the crazy old man just down the street and so he approached him and asked, “Well, did you talk to Jesus last night?” “Why, I sure did,” said the man. “What did he say was the last sin that I confessed to him?” The old man looked slowly up at him and answered, “Why, Jesus said he didn’t remember.”

Hmm. He didn’t remember… That is the good news of the gospel, isn’t it? In Jesus Christ our sins are forgiven. We are set free to begin again.

John writes in his first letter, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. But, if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Let us pray: Loving God, we have all done things we wish we could take back, said things that have hurt others. We’ve all missed opportunities to do the right thing and we’ve all needed a second chance. So we thank you for your forgiveness, for your mercy and love. Wash over us again this day with your grace. Cleanse us and renew us to live as free and forgiving people. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.