“The earth is utterly broken, the earth is split apart, the earth is violently shaken. The earth staggers like a drunken man; it sways like a hut; its transgression lies heavy upon it, and it falls, and will not rise again.” Isaiah 24:19-20 ESV
Reflection: why is sin equated to a heavy weight?
We have all sinned. So we have all experienced the impact of sin in our lives. We might have tried to excuse it, saying to ourselves that everyone else does it, whatever “it” is. Basically try to “normalize” the sin, knowing full well that it is sin. We might even have blamed others for our actions. We might have tried to suppress it, forget it, somehow. But, in the quiet moments, we are reminded that it is still there. Nagging at us like a heavy weight, reminding us of the offense. Can’t get rid of it. We might think of confessing, but we don’t feel worthy of calling on the name of the Lord. We might even feel so unworthy and unlovable that our actions don’t matter anymore. And before we know it, we have been ensnared by the devil, turned our backs to God, walking in the wrong direction.
We all have our own stories. How we have experienced this thing we call sin. Which really is against whatever is true, pure, noble, good, just, righteous, life, light, among others. It is really all that is against and in opposition to a Holy God. And, sin becomes an increasing burden for us to carry, through life. And the truth is that there are consequences for sin. Consequences for going against the created order, going against the Creator Himself. The lie is that it doesn’t matter. That sin is “freedom”, in a way. To do what you want. But it is a lie, as sin is the complete opposite. Sin is enslavement and a heavy burden. David described his experience with sin very eloquently, “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.”Psalm 51:1-4 ESV
The weight of sin is so heavy and so destructive, that it even impacts the land, the earth. Isaiah saw a future that, because of the sins of the people, “The earth is utterly broken, the earth is split apart, the earth is violently shaken. The earth staggers like a drunken man; it sways like a hut; its transgression lies heavy upon it, and it falls, and will not rise again.” Isaiah 24:19-20 ESV. And, as we have discussed before, Isaiah possibly saw multiple time horizons. Some commentators speculate that Isaiah 24:16-23 was reflecting the fall of Israel from their rejection of Jesus as the Messiah. Others think it is related to the end times, as written in Revelation.
Regardless of time horizon Isaiah saw, we know that sin leads to death; but the gift of God, through Christ Jesus is life. “For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:20-23 ESV.
Struggling with the weight of sin today? There is only one way to get rid of it. Only one answer. It is in the freedom of the atonement of Jesus Christ. In His perfect sacrifice. Only He can offer salvation and freedom from sin. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 ESV. And He invites us to “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 ESV.
Turn to Jesus.
