It's easier to feel bad about something that you've done. It's easier to feel bad if you are the driver at fault in a fender bender, or the player on the team that missed the winning shot, or maybe even the reason you're late to the ceremony. When you actively commit the sin, meaning you commit the wrong against God and your neighbor, it's easier to hear the law and say, "Yes, that was me. I did it and I am sorry. I want to do better."  Jesus died on the cross for active sins, those sins that we commit against others and God Himself.

But, what about those passive sins? What about when we are sinned against? That isn't a sin right? When someone steals from us, cheats on us, lies to us, gossips about us, and attacks us, that's not our fault right? We didn't do anything, so how can it be a sin? If we are sinned against, how is that our problem. Do we have to repent when someone sins against us?

Well, we don't have to repent for something that happens to us, but what about what that sin does to us? Remember Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ ³⁹ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. ⁴⁰ And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. ⁴¹ And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. ⁴² Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you." (Matthew 5:38-42).  And St. Paul wrote to the Church in Rome saying, " Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” ²⁰ To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:19-21).  Jesus warns us what happens when we don't let Him deal with our neighbor. St. Paul let's us know that it is for God alone to deal with those who attack us, rather than us abiding in vengeful anger. No, we do not have to repent when someone sins against us, but we do have to repent for our coldness toward them and our anger against them for sinning against us. 

Yes, when someone sins against us it is like getting a big shot of Novocaine before the dentist goes to work. When you are numbed against your neighbor, you don't care about them. When someone sins against us, we either get revenge, or we don't care about them, and both of these are wrong. It doesn't matter what the trespass is against us, from gossiping about us to physically harming us and our loved ones, it is not for us to hold a grudge and abide in anger. No, we are to let go our sin against our neighbor. Yes, there is such a thing as passive sin, meaning when we are sinned against and our love for our neighbor turns into wrath and neglect. 

Did Jesus die on the cross for our anger, apathy, and vengeful thoughts after being sinned against? Yes, Jesus Himself was sinned against for us, and unlike us, He did not seek revenge for those who did Him wrong. Who did Him wrong? Was it the Romans? Was it the Jews? Was it His Disciples? How about us? Do we wrong Jesus? Yes, every time we get angry at being sinned against, rather than praying for our neighbor and forgiving them the offense in order to let God handle the rest. Yes, we sinned against Jesus by putting putting Him on the cross, and we continue to sin against Him by hating our neighbor. 

Unlike us, Jesus did not nor does He seek revenge for His death on the cross. No, Jesus kept His mouth shut, and like a lamb led to the slaughter He opened not His mouth. By His stripes we are healed. What does this mean? It means that, by His death on the cross for us, and only in the cross, do we have healing for when we are sinned against. All the revenge in the world will not heal us when we are sinned against. No. Only the wounds of Jesus heal our wounds. Yes, only the blood of Jesus spilt are our tears wiped away from our eyes. Yes, on in the cross of Christ do we have healing no matter how we are sinned against. We have emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual healing because Jesus took every sin sinned against us and put it to death on the cursed tree. 

Only the cross heals us, because the cross of Christ is where Jesus purchase and won forgiveness for us. Yes, when we are sinned against, we pray that the Holy Spirit would grant us forgiveness for our anger, apathy, and revenge in order that we may forgive our neighbor who sins against us. When we forgive our neighbor it is for our good. When we dwell in anger all it does is eat away at us and deafen us to the mercy of God that was won on the cross for us. Yes, when we are sinned against, may the Holy Spirit grant us repentant hearts that know that we desire nothing but revenge. May the Holy Spirit point us away from our fleshy desires, and instead guide us to the cross of Jesus where salvation was won for us. May the Holy Spirit guide us to confession, rather than retribution, in order that we may receive holy absolution, remission of our sins, in order that Jesus may handle our attacker for us. This is what releases us from a life of anger and frustration. No matter how our neighbor sins against us, Jesus died on the cross that we may be troubled no more. Yes, Jesus died for when we are sinned against because He knows that being sinned against causes us to live in sin ourselves. Jesus does not want this for us, but desires us to live a life of joy in knowing that nothing is held against us and nothing can harm us while we are in Christ Jesus. 

let us remember this then. No, it is not a sin when we are sinned against, but our reaction is sinful and can lead us down a path that is worse than the original transgression. Jesus died on the cross for passive sin in order that, when we are sinned against, we may let Him take care of our neighbor in order that we may be forgiven and dwell in  forgiveness with all around us.

Peace be with you. May the devil be silenced, the world be hushed, and the Old Adam drowned anew so that you may hear only the peaceful voice of your Savior Jesus who says, "I love you. I forgive you. I claim you as My own forever," Amen.

Jesus' Sheepdog