
In this episode, Dan Wilt begins with a reflection on the power of forgiveness, drawing inspiration from a biblical passage in Luke 5:18-20. He recounts the story of a paralyzed man whose sins were forgiven by Jesus, emphasizing the transformative nature of forgiveness. Dan also shares a poignant real-life example from an Amish community in Pennsylvania, where forgiveness was extended to the family of a man who committed a tragic act. This act of grace stunned the world and highlighted forgiveness as a core practice of the Jesus way, challenging societal norms and showcasing the kingdom's values. Dan continues by exploring the theme of forgiveness as a vital aspect of Christian life. He discusses the practice of confession and the importance of forgiving others as Christ has forgiven us. Through personal anecdotes and scriptural references, he encourages listeners to embrace forgiveness as a path to true freedom and healing. The episode concludes with a call to action, inviting lis...
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Foreign. Sower Nation Today is Saturday, June 13th in the year of our Lord 2026. I'm Dan Wilt and this is your wake up call. It's a beautiful day, a beautiful day to be alive and to begin our day with a meeting with Jesus. Wake up sleeper. Rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you. Let's pray our prayer of consecration as we begin. Jesus, I belong to you. I lift up my heart to you. I set my mind on you. I fix my eyes on you. I offer my body to you as a living sacrifice. Jesus, we belong to you and we're praying in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Well, today's entry is titled Jesus Forgave Sins and we can too. Our text is from Luke 5, 18:20 Hear the word of the Lord. Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd right in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, friend, your sins are forgiven. The Word of the Lord. Consider this. We begin today's entry with a difficult but powerful story that illustrates the transformative effect of forgiveness. And this one is a little bit of a PG13 story, so be aware of that. If you have younger ones listening, you may remember the story of the small Amish community in Pennsylvania who experienced unspeakable suffering after a disturbed assailant took many young lives in an Amish community. The movie Amish Grace is based on this story. The most remarkable part of the story is how the Amish community, soon after the incident, went to the widow and family of the man who had committed the act. He had also taken his own life to extend forgiveness and to care for them in their grief. The world was stunned and had mixed reactions to this way of life that the Amish believed to be the way of Jesus who lives this way. Forgiveness was the topic of the national news for an extended period of time. That is the miracle of the Jesus Way, the Kingdom Way, Silencing and confronting the ways of the world in the all the things ministry of Jesus we see in motion. In Luke 5, 18, 20, we see our rabbi choosing to express forgiveness to a man who had been brought to him for healing. Jesus understood that forgiveness leading to inner freedom is the greatest miracle of all. I heard about this story of radical forgiveness many years ago on the news in this Amish community, and it struck a deep chord because it happened not far from my hometown in Pennsylvania. My wife and I have been stuck in traffic behind many buggies in that part of the country. The ability to forgive is a sign that the kingdom of God is here. Across the ages of the church, there's been a practice called confession, carried on by average Christians and spiritual leaders of virtually every tradition. In confession, we reveal our need for forgiveness to another, who then says to us, in one form or another, you are forgiven. In banded discipleship, the confessional community becomes the foundation on which great love and mutual support can be shared in the group Jesus forgave. It is part of the all the things that Jesus did and taught as the Son of God, he could forgive as only God can forgive, as he has the authority on earth to forgive sins. Matthew 9:6 Forgiveness unburdens the offender from the weight of external and internal condemnation. We are told to forgive one another as Christ has forgiven us Ephesians 4:32 and to confess our sins to one one another, James 5:16 that we may be healed. And here's the real kicker. Jesus embeds the theme of forgiveness and shines a light on it as a true kingdom practice in his rabbinical prayer. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. That's Luke 11, verse 4. I'm a big fan of God moving miraculously through a word of knowledge or insight, a prophetic word or a physical healing. But I've also become very fond of the power of forgiveness as we consider all the things that Jesus did and taught and that we, as those who practice the way of Jesus are commissioned to do. Forgiveness must be in the lead as we minister to others. So let's pray our prayer together as we open our lives to be used by Jesus. But I don't even love that word used by Jesus to partner with Jesus, to work with him, to play with him in the healing of lives around us. So Lord Jesus, I'm open to forgiving and being forgiven, knowing that it is the only way to true freedom. Teach me forgiveness as a kingdom practice and where my heart is far from you in forgiving someone near me, present or past, soften me. Bring me near to your heart. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen. And here are our journal prompts. Write down all the ways that Jesus has forgiven you. Write down all the ways that Jesus has forgiven you. Think through the years. Sit with it a little bit and let it be a time of thankfulness not sorrow, though sometimes godly sorrow is a good thing in it. But let it be a time of thankfulness as you reflect. As you write next, write down the ways others have forgiven you. Write down the ways others have forgiven you. What patterns do you see and what have been the results of forgiveness in your life and the lives of others? Today's activation is this. Today, is there someone you need to forgive? Someone toward whom you have been harboring unforgiveness? Take some time with your band or a trusted mentor to share how you desire to forgive and even how hard it is for you. Then ask the Lord what an appropriate next step would be to forgive as you have been forgiven. Amen. Well, today we're going to sing a contemporary worship song. It's not in our great Redeemer's praise, and it's called Christ Alone Cornerstone. And I'd love for us just to lift our voices together and turn our hearts to worship. As we move into Saturday.
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My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness I dare not trust the sweetest frame but holy trust in Jesus name. Christ alone Cornerstone Weak Made strong in the Savior's love through the storm he is Lord Lord of all. When darkness seems to hide his face I rest on his unchanging grace in every high and stormy gale My anchor holds within the veil Christ alone Christ alone Cornerstone we made strong in the Savior's love through the storm he is Lord Lord of all. O Christ alone Cornerstone we made strong in the Savior's love through the storm he is Lord Lord of all. Lord of all sing lord of all oh jesus lord of all.
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Amen well, we have a whole Saturday ahead of us. We have a Sunday meeting together here with Jesus and with our communities, your community in worship. And we are bearers of the kingdom. And part of that, that carrying that we do. The Greek word is Christos feros or Christopher. We're Christ carriers is that we bring the forgiveness and the grace of Jesus into every relationship. Every moment we're in conversation. It begins with us experiencing Jesus forgiveness and then extending it to others that that grace, that welcoming to live in the mercy of God rather than. Than under judgment. So let's go out there as Christ carriers, get our seeds together and I'll see you on the field for the awakening. I'm Dan Wil.
Episode Title: Jesus Forgave Sins; We Can Too
Host: Dan Wilt
Date: June 13, 2026
In this heartfelt Saturday edition of The Wake-Up Call, host Dan Wilt centers the conversation on the transformative power of forgiveness, reflecting on the example of Jesus in Luke 5:18-20. Wilt explores both scriptural and real-life illustrations of radical forgiveness, emphasizing the invitation for each of us to experience this grace personally and extend it to others. The episode weaves together biblical teaching, a memorable story from the Amish community, practical journaling prompts, and ends with worship to encourage listeners in their walk with Christ.
Dan Wilt’s delivery is warm, pastoral, and practical. He gently invites listeners into self-examination, honest confession, and active steps toward forgiveness, blending real-life stories and deeply rooted biblical teaching.
This episode is a compelling call to experience the freeing power of forgiveness, reminding listeners that as Christ has so freely forgiven us, we too are called—and empowered—to forgive. Wilt’s blend of story, scripture, prayer, and worship provides a multi-faceted guide for anyone seeking to walk more fully in the forgiveness and grace of Jesus.