The Essential JesusSample

Stupid Sin

PRAY: "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening" (1 Samuel 3:9-10).

READ: Exodus 32:1-33:6

REFLECT: How could they be so stupid? The Israelites had witnessed God at work since he miraculously released them from bondage in Egypt. Yet they can't wait for Moses to return with the Ten Commandments. In their impatience, they whip each other up into a frenzy of hedonism and pagan worship. It's a poignant reminder about the nature of sin. No matter how good we've been in the past, we're never immune from sin's influence in the present.

Think about Aaron. You can't fault him in some ways–all he did was give the people what they wanted (Exodus 32:1-2). That's what political leaders are supposed to do, right? The problem is that Aaron was a spiritual leader; his actions affected the moral and religious life of the community. The truth is, all of us are spiritual leaders, even if we aren't ordained or aren't particularly religious. Our actions influence the moral decisions of others, for good or for ill.

In contrast, think of the influence Moses had on the people of Israel. He certainly wasn't the life of the party (Exodus 32:19-20, 25-29). He took a strong stand against the idolatry and wild behavior he saw. Today it may seem enlightened to believe that sin "ain't nobody's business but my own." The problem is, that's not true. Ultimately our sin is God's business; it's his commands that we violate (Exodus 32:8) and his consequences we must pay (Exodus 32:33-34). Again it highlights our need, our desperate need, for a Savior.

Even in the middle of this out-of-control situation, we see a wonderful example of God's plan for dealing with our sin problem. Moses volunteered to take the punishment the people deserved (Exodus 32:31-32); he was willing to make what we call "atonement" (satisfying the requirements to restore our relationship with God Exodus 32:30]). That's exactly what Jesus did on the cross thousands of years later.

APPLY: Who has been the greatest influence in your life? Whose life have you influenced the most? In both cases, what was the influence?

PRAY: Dear Jesus, I can't thank you enough for what you did on the cross. Thanks for your willingness to take my punishment.