For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil.
2 Corinthians 5:10
Jesus does not want to be the only perfect person while humanity suffers because of its guilt. He does not want to remain guiltless while ignoring the people he loves, who are being destroyed by their guilt. He does not aim to have an ideal human triumph while the rest of humanity lies in ruins. His love for real people brings him into the shared experience of human guilt.
Jesus does not separate himself from the guilt of the people he loves. A love that leaves people alone in their guilt would not truly be love for real people. Because of his deep love and sense of responsibility for humanity, Jesus takes on the burden of human guilt. All the guilt of humanity ultimately falls on him. He does not reject it but carries it with humility and eternal love.
As someone who takes responsibility for humanity in its real, historical existence, Jesus willingly enters into human guilt. But because his purpose and life are entirely based on God’s love for people, it is this divine love that leads Jesus to take on guilt. Out of selfless love, Jesus leaves his sinless state and steps into humanity’s guilt, fully taking it upon himself.
We have something to hide. We have secrets, worries, thoughts, hopes, desires, passions which no one else gets to know. We are sensitive when people get near those domains with their questions. And now, against all rules of tact the Bible speaks of the truth that in the end we will appear before Christ with everything we are and were.… And we all know that we could justify ourselves before any human court, but not before this one. Lord, who can justify themselves?
Bonhoeffer’s sermon for Repentance Sunday, November 19, 1933
Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. God Is in the Manger : Reflections on Advent and Christmas. Louisville, Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, 2012.
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