Life Without Guilt
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. Psalm 51:17 NASB
Sacrifices – “T’was the night before Christmas” and most of us struggled with our guilt. The pagan world went off to party. The Christian world went to church. But none found relief from the deepest anxiety about guilt. Somewhere in the past, we sinned in such terrible ways that even we can’t find room for forgiveness. Try as we might to forget, the truth is that there are shameful things in our histories; things we hope no one will ever know. But God knows. No matter what we do, God still knows. And in our most vulnerable moments, we probably have to admit that we’re not even sure He can really forgive us. Yes, we all know the promises. We have spoken the words. But can we really say that we feel completely clean? I know that when I stand before the Judgment Seat there are many things I do not want to see revealed in the full light of that Day.
David, the greatest king of Israel, was a man after God’s own heart. The Lord even says so. But David also knew the terror of horrific sin. Adultery, conspiracy, murder, cover-up – any one of which would have been grounds for stoning. David knew fully what it meant to shatter the heart of God with deliberate moral disobedience. If anyone can help us deal with our overwhelming sense of guilt, it would be David. He certainly has been there.
What does David say? What does David do? Careful examination of this psalm might correct some of our misapprehensions. First, notice what David says about sacrifice. The Hebrew word is zebah (singular) and it is literally a word about slaughter. Why does this matter? Because David knew all about ritual sacrifices for sin. They involved slaughtering an animal and using its blood for atonement. And David clearly says that God does not require this. “For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it” (verse 16). What does God really want? Confession, submission and repentance. Sacrifices are an outward expression of what should be happening in the heart. Sacrifices cannot substitute for true repentance.
We have all read these verses. After all, this is one of the famous psalms often used to support the idea of a sinful nature. But have we really reflected on David’s insight? Do we really understand that God does not delight in sacrifice? Do we really believe that what God really wants is repentance and reconciliation?
On the night before the world celebrates some kind of combined Roman/Christian holiday you might be struggling with guilt. You might be remembering some day when you acted in unspeakably terrible ways. You might be praying that the light of day will never come to some shameful act. And you might think real forgiveness, the kind that leaves you washed clean on the inside, just isn’t possible. You might be thinking that the best you can do is just go on, living with the memory and hoping against hope that no one ever knows.
If that’s you, then David is your man. What God wants is repentance. That’s enough. God forgives. He washes you clean. You have been changed. No sacrifice is necessary. Repent and rejoice.
Topical Index: forgiveness, atonement, sacrifice, zebah, slaughter, Psalm 51:17
17 My sacrifice to God is a broken spirit; God, you won’t spurn a broken, chastened heart.
18 In your good pleasure, make Tziyon prosper; rebuild the walls of Yerushalayim.
19 Then you will delight in righteous sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then they will offer bulls on your altar.
Hi Skip,
In the Complete Jewish Bible, David’s comment regarding sin and sacrifice
Makes perfect sense to me: “My sacrifice to God is a broken spirit” and
David seems to indicate that God will delight in righteous sacrifices
Burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings
Then they (the Jews) will offer bulls on your altar.
But the Complete Jewish Bible does not treat the text AS IT IS WRITTEN. zivchel elohim ruach nishbara lev nishbar cannot me “My sacrifice” without emendation of the text. Furthermore, the translation of verse 19 creates another problem (as I will discuss in another TW). Once again we find that the translators alter the text to meet theological objectives. The idea might make sense and be an appropriate idiomatic expression, but the text is the text, not the translator’s desire.
“Judaism rejects Jesus because Jews believe that Jesus rejected Torah”
Hmmm
I think Judaism rejects the notion that Jesus is God
Because a man is something
And God is nothing in Judaism
And Judaism does not regard Jesus as the Messiah ben David
Because Jesus was not related to David
Read a few books by Jews on this subject. You will find that even the most conservative Jews are open to the possibility of a divine Messiah, but NONE of them can accept a Messiah who rejects Torah. Since they believe what the Church teaches that Paul said about Jesus, they must reject him if they are to obey Moses.
A divine Messiah
NONE of them can accept a Messiah who rejects Torah
Hi Skip,
I think we could all agree that Jesus was a divine “anointed one”
Whatever that means
Who did not reject the Torah
But a divine messiah is not the same thing as the Messiah ben David
Scholars cannot argue convincingly that Jesus was the Messiah ben David
If his mother was not related to David and we don’t know who his father was
Like a gentile, a Jew can believe anything he/she wants
It is okay with me, but belief does not make a valid argument IMO
Ah, but you are missing two important facts. The first is in Daniel Boyarin’s book, The Jewish Gospels. In the first century there was a sect of Jewish thought that expected a divine Messiah. Read Boyarin. The second fact is the adoption process in place in the Jewish community in the first century. Listen to Bob Gorelik. Yeshua IS the son of Joseph regardless of his actual father via this process, thus fulfilling the prophecy even though it could not have happened through natural progeny.
“In the first century there was a sect of Jewish thought that expected a divine Messiah.”
Hi Skip,
Didn’t most Jews believe in a Messiah that would come to “save the day”
And resurrect the dead according to a belief in the Olam Ha-ba
My understanding is that Jesus thought he was that Man
And not only a man but the Jewish Messiah
But he ended up being the Messiah
Who never returned to save his people
And the world did not change
I listened to Bob Gorelik’s tapes when I was rereading the OT years ago
The perspective Bob presents is clear and simple to digest
Personally I don’t think in terms of being adopted or not
Or put much stock in what happens after death
The movie Hombre provides all the inspiration I need on that subject
When the character played by Paul Newman walks down the Hill
Into almost certain death to save the woman who stole his tribe’s money
In the first place
The people Hombre already saved warn him that he will be killed
And fear they might end up being killed as well
Hombre’s response has always inspired me
He says something like
“We are all going to die, it’s just a matter of When”
Adoption obviously does not concern him at this point
My sense is that Jesus was more concerned
With our “adaptation” to his Way
Than being “adopted” by his God
My wife would like to know, Skip, how you knew she needed to hear this message today? A rhetorical question, of course. God knows when His words need to happen to us. Three times, in Psalms 42 and 43: “Why are you cast down, O my soul?” And three times, the remedy: “For I shall yet praise Him.” You cannot praise God, or be a servant to neighbor, when you’re consumed with guilt and self-preoccupation. Repentance includes praising God and being what Yeshua said we should be–servants.
I have ESP. 🙂
Actually, this is a message about my own experience in past Christmas times.
“You cannot praise God, or be a servant to neighbor, when you’re consumed with guilt and self-preoccupation.”
Now isn’t that the truth?! I spent some years being a drama queen and putting on the guilt and the self pity for the wretched choices I made and things I’d done. Praise was never on my lips then. As God began to call to me and opened my eyes just a tiny bit to SEE Him that began to change.
It seems like a lifetime ago that the person above existed.
I find myself having an attitude of gratefulness more and more and yes–there is praise on my lips these days. 🙂
The drama queen is dead!!
🙂
“Twas the night before Christmas and all through MY house . . .” was the “can’t wait” feeling until this is OVER!
Admittedly, I grew to hate the ‘Christmas’ season during my days as a Federal Express courier, ramp agent, dispatcher (what ever jobs were available, I had done them, that is, those that were not management). The time of the year imposed a rash and rushed behavior on the shipping industry, Federal Express being one of the top benefactors financially.
From an employee standpoint it was hell on earth, and I didn’t experience that figuratively, either. From the moment I clocked in to the very much later in the day clocking out, I don’t think I had time even for a breath. Non-stop rush for several weeks. Absolutely NO vacations in December, PERIOD!
Yeah, I know, no one MADE me do this well paying job. On the other hand, ‘well paying’ had it’s limits and I resigned and moved on. The reasons were varied, however, the seasonal demands were at the top of my motivations.
Things may have changed at FedEx since I left about 15 years ago (I doubt it!) but the feeling of disdain for this season continues with me from the frantic memories behind the wheel of a FedEx truck. Even this year I’ve vowed that, next year, we are going to buy enough food in November to sustain us for all of December so we don’t have to venture out in traffic!
Sad, I know. But I just bristle at the ‘reason for the season’ adage. My eyes may be tainted, but now all I can see as the reason for the sustaining of this season is $$$, plain and simple.
In life, I don’t limit gift giving to one single day. I do it whenever, any day I decide and choose. I celebrate the birth of Yeshua EVERYday, not just a falsely assigned day. Anyway, if it’s HIS birthday (Really? Dec. 25th?), why don’t we give things back to Him rather than to someone else? If we applied the gift giving mentality of this season, then we should also give gifts to other people rather than the birthday person.
I’ve repented from moving in the direction of FedEx as employment. I have a life now. I have no regrets about that. And I try to stay inside, out of a car for most of December. Only venture out when I must. I probably need to move to the country!
But, that’s another worldview, I realize!
Yeah, yeah . . . I know. . . bah, humbug!
;-$
Hi Michael
I ran into a friend recently who works in retail (WalMart of all places) and she told me that it has ruined this time of the year for her. I can certainly understand her point and yours too.
What gets me is that I used to love the craziness and the shopping and the crowds! I had a very material mindset those days.
I find myself shaking my head at the line “the reason for the season” but I try not to let it get to me to much. Way to many blessings every day to dwell on that which I was once lost in. Some of them (lost people) will find their way along.
I will admit though that I plan things so that I can avoid stores pretty much the last two weeks of Dec and try to avoid going into town altogether if I can. I absolutely HATE the chaos the ensues. People tend to be total jerks at this time and I can be one too if I let it get to me.
I DO live in the country by the way!
Anyways, my point being that it is still about the choices we make and stuff only bothers me if I allow it. I am only offended if I choose to be! Count the blessings that you can see right now and don’t look at the irritating stuff around you.
No, the Messiah was not born at this time but I didn’t always understand that either. It is still a good time to be kind to others and show the love of Christ anyways because that should be our way of life!
I have been wondering Michael how things are going with you and your dad? That is a difficult journey to walk but there are blessings there too.
Shalom brother,
Dawn
Hi, Dawn.
My Dad is still deteriorating. SLOW but steady! We now keep him on regular doses of meds that help him retain some clarity. The side effects is that he sleeps a lot. Just as well though because when not sleeping he remains agitated, irritated and is just ill in disposition most all the time. He also goes through hallucinations more frequently.
Interestingly, my wife met our NP (Nurse Practitioner) from Hospice at the grocery store this morning. They happened to be good friends before the lady became an NP. She is a woman of ACTION, believe me! Outspoken (very much so) and prone to getting things done. She asked about my Dad and after my wife told her the latest tales, the NP said there were beds available at the Hospice House for respite. She didn’t have her phone so asked to use my wife’s to call Hospice to arrange a respite. The ambulance will pick him up early in the morning tomorrow for a few days. The NP said consider it a Christmas bonus!
We are! At least we’ll get a break for a few days. Whew! Maybe I’ll bundle up and go sit in the woods for a day or two to clear my mind. Contemplate tree bark and leaves for a while. 🙂
Thanks for asking.
Michael,
The reason for the season is axial tilt! 🙂
As for the birth of Yeshua, I suggest you read the book “The Star that Astonished the World” by Ernest Martin. There is also a DVD available, based on the book (though the author of the DVD does not adequately acknowledge his debt to Martin, in my opinion) – the Christmas Star. Lots of historical and astronomical details in both.
Also, if you are interested, in the late 90’s I wrote a summary paper on the various theories for the ‘Star’. I’ll be happy to send you a copy if you wish.
“For you died,
and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ who is our life appears, then you also
will appear with Him in glory.” Col 3: 3-4
Repent and rejoice!
Dawn,
P.S. — We already had a respite scheduled for February and we were hoping and planning on attending
the quarterly meeting in VA and sit and listened to Skip for a few days. We told her we’d love this respite
tomorrow so long as it didn’t interfere or replace our already scheduled February respite.
So, we are planning on and really looking forward to the VA trip to hear Skip.
What a nice blessing for all three of you!!
My husband and I are trying to work things out so we can be at VA too. Maybe we will get to me in person. I am praying that things will work out for us to go.
My mom in law passed away Dec 12th. When she began to seriously fail, she went quickly. I was given the gift of being there for her through the rough waters and until shortly before she died. Now her suffering is done and a burden has been lifted. My husband and I have ended one season in our lives.
Hospice helped us all too and they were wonderful for all 5 days that they were involved.