Some time back I was reading Nehemiah where Ezra is reading
the Book of the Law to the people, and these verses caught my attention: “This
day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep… And do not be grieved,
for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (8:9-10 ESV). When the people heard
the law, they were convicted of their sin and their natural response was
mourning, but Nehemiah told them they had reason to rejoice. His words are reminiscent
of David’s experience some 500 years earlier—“David said to Nathan, ‘I have
sinned against the Lord.’ And Nathan said to David, ‘The Lord also has put away
your sin; you shall not die.’” (2 Samuel 12:13). After which David wrote, “Blessed
is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is
the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is
no deceit.” (Psalm 32:1-2).
From my own experience and things I’ve read from many
different authors, I think we all have a tendency to hang onto guilt longer
than we need to. We know that God’s forgiveness is available and is freely
given to all who confess, and yet we can’t let go of the mourning and turn to
celebration.
When the woman was caught in adultery, Jesus told her,
“Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more” (John 8:11). He
didn’t scold her or give her penance to do. He simply released her from guilt
so she could have a fresh start. She could have been stoned to death for her
sin, but instead she was set free. I have no doubt she celebrated that day.
Although a contrite attitude could indicate that we think
our sin is too big to be forgiven, I wonder if the bigger problem is that we
think we can contribute something to our forgiveness? Our view of sin is too
small—we don’t realize that every sin is worthy of death. How can a person on
death row do anything to earn forgiveness? We deserve death just as much as the
woman caught in adultery, yet we are forgiven because of Jesus’ death on our
behalf. That should be reason enough to rejoice! To remain mournful when God
has delivered us from death is to say that His forgiveness isn’t good enough. Are
we questioning His power, mercy, love, and authority?
I shared this quote on Facebook as it related to the sermon
we heard this Sunday, but it’s worth revisiting:
“I cannot imagine the depth of love
the Savior had for us in those moments of extreme suffering—unfathomable love
causing Him to choose moment after agonizing moment to subject himself to what
He could have ended. Thanks be to God that Jesus persevered till the task was
completed! With His last breath He exclaimed, It is finished, and committed His spirit to the Father, dying in
our place” (Marci Julin, When You Can’t Trust His Heart, 87).
So as we celebrate Thanksgiving this week, may we all remember
the greatest reason to give thanks—
“For God so loved the world, that He gave
His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal
life… These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that
your joy may be full” (John 3:16, 15:11).
