Advent: December 9 – Taking on Guilt

Then someone came to him and said, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother; also, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Matthew 19:16–19

For Jesus, the focus is not on teaching or creating new moral ideals, and not even on proving his own goodness (Matt. 19:17). His concern is entirely his love for real people. Because of this love, he can share in their guilt and take their guilt upon himself.

It is only his selfless love that allows him to bear guilt. Out of his pure, sinless nature, Jesus willingly steps into the guilt of humanity and takes it upon himself. In him, being sinless and carrying guilt are deeply connected and cannot be separated. As the one without sin, Jesus takes on guilt, and under the weight of this guilt, he shows that he is truly sinless.

Lord Jesus, come yourself, and dwell with us, be human as we are, and overcome what overwhelms us. Come into the midst of my evil, come close to my unfaithfulness. Share my sin, which I hate and which I cannot leave. Be my brother, Thou Holy God. Be my brother in the kingdom of evil and suffering and death.

Sermon for Advent Sunday, December 2, 1928

^{Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. God Is in the Manger : Reflections on Advent and Christmas. Louisville, Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, 2012.}