February 22, 2004

PROPORTIONATE GUILT

Romans 2:4-11

   The Gentiles are accused of violating the law of conscience and the testimony of creation. The Jews are accused of breaking Moses' law and rejecting "the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering." It is true that "as many as have sinned without law shall perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law" (Romans 2:12-15), but do not miss the distinct-ion. Israel through breaking the law dishonored God and "the name of God was blasphemed among the Gentiles" because of them(2:24).

   God's prophet, Ezekiel, wrote of Jerusalem , " Sodom , thy sister hath not done, she nor her daughters, as thou hast done, thou and thy daughters..." And Samaria , Jerusalem 's elder sister has not "committed half of thy sins." Of Jerusalem he continued, "thou...hast justified thy sisters... they are more righteous than thou" (Ezek. 16:48-52).

   When sending out the twelve to minister in Israel 's cities the Lord said whatever city "shall not receive you, nor hear your words...it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city" (Mt. 10:14-15). Later He upbraided "the cities wherein most of His mighty works were done, because they repented not, Woe to thee, Chorazin! Woe to thee, Bethsaida ! For if the mighty works which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon , they would have repented... It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment, than for you" (Mt. 11:20-22).

   Christ's ministry was "greater than Jonah..." wherefore "the men of Nineveh shall rise up in judgment with this generation and shall condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah." Likewise, "the queen of the south shall rise up in judgment with this generation and shall condemn it, for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, a greater than Solomon is here" (Mt. 12:41-42).

   Christ said to Pilate, "he that delivered Me unto thee has the greater sin" (Jn. 19:11), and sought to release Jesus. Thrice Pilate said he found no fault in Christ (Lk. 23:4,14,22). Peter said Pilate was deter-mined to let Him go" (Acts 3:13), but sentenced as the Jews required.

Ivan L. Burgener