The Unbearable Weight of Sin: Redeemed!!
Without a redeeming nature of our God, there is no getting out from under the unbearable weight of our sin that leads to death! One of the Hebrew words for “sin” is to “miss the mark.” Somehow that definition does not seem to be strong enough when considering the eternal consequences.
During one of Job’s counselor’s discourses, he said, “. . . how much less man, who is vile and corrupt, who drinks up evil like water.” (Job 15:16) That is more descriptive of what sin’s definition should be – vile and corrupt. Perhaps no one person in the Old Testament (“O. T.”) has more concern over his sin than king David. I entitled Psalm 51 in my book, Reflection: Journey through the Psalms, “Egregious Sin and Guilt.” David opens his psalm with a plea for mercy. Why? Because of God’s unfailing love! Amen. I state in my chapter, “David is weighted down by his sin but upfront about his confession, requesting the great mercy of God to forgive his egregious sin.”
If one reviews the terms used in Bible times to describe weights and measures, there is no one weight definition to describe the extreme heaviness of sin. Weights in Bible times were also generally estimates. For example, a “talent,” is approximately 34.27kg. or 75.6lb – and one of the largest weight measures. David is said to have been very rich with hundreds of talents of gold, yet his sin of adultery and murder exceeded the entire weight of his wealth. It would yield eternal damnation, except for God’s tenderhearted nature and loving forgiveness. The Pentateuch says a lot about weights, especially being honest. Moses tells us in Deuteronomy, “the LORD detests anyone who deals dishonestly.” (Deut. 25:15ff)
In David’s Psalm 51, he also admits that he was sinful from birth, yes, even in his mother’s womb. (Ps 51:5) Because of Adam and Eve’s sin, all who have followed are sinful by nature and indeed deserving of the weight of eternal separation from God. St. Paul reminds us that “all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God.” (Rom 3:23, paraphrased)
The prophet Isaiah also reminds us of that separation from God. Listen! “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you.” (Is 59:2) But there is hope! Isaiah in his subsequent chapter reminds the Israelites (and you and me) that “Your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.” (Is 60:1)
Israel is God’s chosen and were to be His spokespeople. Yet, they continually fell away with their many sins including worshipping foreign gods. The prophet Jeremiah was the “weeping prophet” but in the concluding chapters of his book he tells Israel, “For I will forgive their wickedness and remember their sins no more.” (Jer. 31:34)
In the O. T., Israel was to offer a “sin offering” when a person sinned unintentionally by breaking one of the LORD’s commandments. Sin offerings were also part of the ceremonies on the Day of Atonement, as the high priest made two sin offerings, one for himself and one for the congregants. This sin offering was repeated time and time again, because sin is universal and pervasive. This sin offering is also a picture of the sacrifice of Jesus, the Christ, who died for the sins of the world. Amen!
As the prophet John the Baptist said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29) St. Paul also reminds us that Jesus was indeed The Sin Offering – once and forever – and for all sin. Can you imagine the weight? Listen to St. Paul’s message of salvation. “For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of man to be a sin offering.” (Rom. 8:3)
Yes, the wages of sin is death, says Scripture, but the gift of God is eternal life. This beautiful gospel message lifts the unbearable weight off our shoulders. That weight was transferred to our LORD on Calvary’s cross. He bore that weight as God the Father turned His face from His Son as He performed the indescribable work of salvation. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, says John 3:16. He came not to condemn the world but to save it!
The unbearable weight of sin has been lifted forever for those redeemed by the blood of the Lamb of God. This sacrificial gift has made those of faith blameless before His throne and heirs of salvation. To God be the glory.
Peace
Connected in Him, I stand
GHR
December 2021
