Tag: guilt

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

I just called to say, “Hi!”

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by yang miao on Unsplash

As a parish pastor, I made a lot of phone calls that must havemade people feel guilty. As soon as I said, “Hi!” they responded with answers they thought I wanted to hear.

  • “Don’t worry, Pastor, I’m still sending in my contribution.”
  • “Don’t worry. We still pray everyday.”
  • “Don’t worry. We’ve been traveling. We’ll be there this week.”
  • “Don’t worry. We watch the livestream each week.”

I called to see how they were doing. Just the sound of my voice brought out the self-justification heavy artillery. It was a gospel call. I just called to say, “Hi!” They heard the law.

A widow in Zarephath gets a bottomless bowl of flour and jar of oil from Elijah. But as soon as her son gets sick, she fast forwards to the worst case scenario. “You have come to me to bring my wrongdoing to remembrance, and to put my son to death!” (1 Kings 17:18)

She feels guilty about something. Who knows what. It doesn’t matter. Suddenly, her worldview shifts from grace to karma. Who’s the bad guy here, Elijah or God himself? Who knows.

If you picture God as the one looking over your shoulder, ready to catch a misstep, you need to get to know God better. He’s the one looking over his shoulder, saying, “Are you coming?” He’s the one who invites us to follow him to green pastures and quiet waters. He never comes to condemn. Only to rescue us.

To illustrate this point, Elijah brings her son back to life. To illustrate this point, he brings us back to life, too. If a prophet or a pastor calls to say, “Hi!” it’s okay. You’re not in big trouble. You’re hearing the voice of someone who cares.

Posted in Devotions, Lent

2020 Lent devotion #32 – “His blood be on us”

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Martin Jernberg on Unsplash

After Pilate washes his hands and declares, “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” (Matthew 27:24-25)

The people got what they wanted. Barabbas will be released. Jesus will be crucified. But Pilate isn’t going to take the fall for this. When he declares his innocence, the crowd accepts responsibility. They’ll take the blame. They’ll even share their guilt with future generations. Almost too willingly, they shout, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 

Chilling words from Jesus’ own people. Vicious words from the very people Jesus came to save. Mutinous words as a kingdom turns against its own king!

I wonder if some of those in the crowd were also part of the Palm Sunday gathering who welcomed Jesus as he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. Were they the same ones who shouted, “Hosanna”? Had some of them eaten bread and fish on a hillside after Jesus’ long day of teaching? Were there some there who didn’t even know who Jesus really was, but were swept along with the mob?

Sometimes we’ll take the blame. “Hey, it’s not you, it’s me.” Sometimes, rather than making excuses, we simply admit, “I did it. I screwed up. It’s my fault.” 

But how many of us look at a crucifix and declare, “That’s my fault”? How many of us read the passion of our Lord in one of the gospels and insist, “His blood is on my head”? It is humbling to know and admit that I am to blame for the scourging, the thorns, the nails and my Lord’s death. He did nothing wrong. He was punished for my sins. 

The whole thing is my fault Lord. Thank you for loving me that much. Amen.