This does not mean that Christ is obscured, but that when the minister proclaims forgiveness, it is the act of God coming through the pastor to bring forgiveness. It does not point away from Christ’s mediatory role but points to the one who continues to be the church’s intercessor. It is not the pastoral office that makes the word effective. It is not that the pastor’s words and actions have magical powers. Rather, it is the word itself which is effective; the minister is merely a means to bring that word to people’s ears, and forgiveness to sinful saints.
