What do we do with the guilt of sin? Many times we don’t own it. We tend to “pass the buck.” We tend to rationalize “it’s not MY fault.” It’s human nature. It’s exactly what Adam and Eve did in the garden that fateful day when they gave into temptation. What do you do when YOU give into temptation? Do you take accountability or do you pass the buck?

Unfortunately, because of our sinful condition, of which David reminds us in Psalm 51, we were even conceived in, we not only pass the buck, but we just keep on sinning in our thoughts, in our words and in our deeds. So now what?

Well, Jesus takes all of those sins. He takes them to the cross. He says, “The buck stops here. Right here at the cross.” And it does… and He did, take them to the cross with Him so that we might be forgiven and redeemed. He WANTS you to be with Him. It’s why He did what He did.

Our response? Repentance, just like King David.

• Genesis 3:1–21
• Romans 5:12–19
• Matthew 4:1–11

In this week’s Kingdom Parables series, Jesus gives us a last day picture of His kingdom through the Parable of the Wedding Feast. This is not a moral lesson about proving we belong. It’s a kingdom story about what the King does for His people. The King not only invites. He provides what is needed to belong. We’ll see how Jesus makes us worthy by clothing us in His righteousness through His Word and Sacraments. And we’ll end with the promise of the feast that never ends, when death is swallowed up forever and tears are wiped away.

• Isaiah 25:6–9
• Philippians 3:1–11
• Matthew 22:1–14