Reformation Monday: Does the priest absolve sins?

In spite of what many, many Lutherans believe, Martin Luther did not eliminate confession from the life of the faithful or the practice of the Church.  Certainly there was a movement towards a corporate (as a whole group) confession as a part of worship, but Luther continued to value individual, private confession.

However, Luther wanted it to be perfectly clear that it is Christ who absolves, not the 'man behind the curtain.'  The faithful do not need an intermediary in order to confess and receive absolution, but the priest/pastor in speaking the absolution speaks for Christ.

"This ought especially to be taught, that confession's not made to man (minister) but to Christ.  Likewise it isn't man who absolves but Christ.  But few understand this.

"Today I replied to the Bohemians, who insist that God alone remits sins and are offended by my little book on the keys [the Office of the Keys or the pastoral office which includes granting absolution].

"Wherefore one should teach that men make confession to Christ, and Christ absolves through the mouth of the minister, for the minister's mouth is the mouth of Christ and the  minister's ear is the ear of Christ.  It's to the Word and the command that one should pay attention, not to the person.  Christ sits there, Christ listens, Christ answers, not a man."

Table Talk, LW 54, P. 394