Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Old Testament Lesson just read, from Nehemiah 8. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- Our text records a momentous occasion in the history of God’s Old Testament people. Ezra had been a teacher of God’s Word in Israel for some time. However, it seems as if the building of the temple and the city walls had distracted the people from hearing and learning the Word of God.
- It is interesting that it was the people who gathered and summoned Ezra to this task. They clearly specified that they wanted to hear and learn from the Book of the Law. They understood that this book was God’s Word, and they wanted to know all that they could about God, about themselves, and about God’s will toward them.
- The people had returned to Israel after spending nearly 70 years in captivity in Babylon. The Persian king Cyrus had conquered Babylon, and had allowed the children of Israel to return to Jerusalem, to rebuild the temple, and to rebuild the walls of the city.
- But there were obvious questions. What did God think of them since He had allowed them to be conquered and exploited? Did He still care at all about them, since Solomon’s great temple had been completely destroyed by the Babylonians? Were they still God’s people, or had He forsaken them altogether?
- So they requested instruction from the Book of the Law, the Word of God. And they did so piously – with repentance and faith. Their reaction to God’s Word was far more noble than that of Jesus’ audience. Obviously we can learn from these people, as we consider their “TWO REACTIONS TO GOD’S WORD.”
I. The Reading Of God’s Law Brought About Great Repentance, Sorrow, And Weeping To The People
Text: “Ezra read from the Book of the Law . . . from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. The ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. . . . And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, ‘Amen, Amen,’ lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground . . . And all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law.”
Statement: One reality emphasized by the Word of God is human sinfulness. By teaching what is truly good, right, loving, and moral, the Bible reveals how far we fall short of God’s good and gracious will. The commandments reveal how we are to love God and love our neighbor, but show us clearly that we do not and cannot keep God’s Law as we should, perfectly. And so the proper response to God’s Word is always repentance.
There are two other reactions that people have when convicted by the Law of God. One is depression and despair – for those who are honest. The other is delusion – for those who insist upon arrogantly touting their own righteousness. This was the reaction of Jesus’ audience – asserting that they were good and right, and that Jesus deserved death.
Application: As we hear the Word of God, especially His Law, His instructions as to how we are to think, believe, act, and simply be, we have the same options. As we shall see, despairing of our own goodness does not necessarily leave us in despair. However, self-delusion is never ending – because the reality of our sin and guilt is never ending. Despair can entrap us and destroy us – and so we need to hear the other part of God’s Word, the Gospel, the assurance of His love, and the gracious salvation that He has already provided for us! For as we see in our text:
II. This Godly Repentance Occasioned Absolution And Blessing From The Prophet, God’s Spokesman
A. Grief And Sorrow Are Not Our Strength
Text: “And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, ‘This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep. . . . do not be grieved.’”
B. Rather, The Joy Of God’s Gracious Mercy And Salvation Is Our Strength
Text: “Then he said to them, ‘Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Statement: In the face of guilt and sin, and appropriate repentance, only the assurance of God’s forgiveness, His ongoing mercy and love, can cheer our hearts and minds. This is what the Lord speaks to us as well, when we repent of our sins and turn to Him in confession. He asserts that the blood of His Son, Jesus our Savior, cleanses us from all iniquity. “In Him we redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” [Eph. 1:7]
Application: So it is obvious that this is what God wants for us as well, each and every one of us! He does not want to destroy us with His Law, but rather to turn us to repentance – so that we can be healed and reborn in His gracious love.
Conclusion: It has always been the case, that when confronted by God’s Law, our sinful human nature tends toward delusion. People can justify the most wretched of behaviors, building cases for themselves. They may convince some people, but this will never stand in God’s court. And worst of all, this involves rejection of God’s forgiveness and salvation in Christ Jesus. So let us continue in repentance, and continue in the joy God’s salvation – for “the joy of the Lord is our strength.” Thanks and praise be to God, Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting, Amen.