Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Who’s Responsibility Is It Anyway?

Matthew 27 gives us a “behind the scenes” look at Judas right after his betrayal of Jesus. It says that when he saw that Jesus was condemned he was suddenly seized with remorse for what he had done. What happened next gives us a glimpse of the reality of bloodguilt in the New Testament.

Grief-stricken Judas attempted to repent for shedding innocent blood before the chief priests and elders, the architects of the whole agenda. Their response was profound, “What is that to us? That’s your responsibility.”(NIV) Later when Pilate is unable to persuade the crowd to release Jesus he washes his hands publicly and echoes, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. It is your responsibility.”

After reading these passages I was struck with the thought, “Who’s responsibility is it anyway?” Ask this question now: Who bears the responsibility for the innocent blood of 50 million babies that have been legally aborted in America since 1973? Does it fall on the government? Is it the abortion doctor’s? Perhaps it’s the sixteen-year-old girl’s? Is it the Church’s? The answer is simply “Yes.” Just like with Judas, the chief priests and Pilate, everyone desperately wants to wash their hands of bloodguilt. It’s easy to point the finger at someone else and say, “That’s your responsibility.” The truth is we’ve all been stained crimson by this national, corporate sin.

So what are we to do? Our response can’t be like Judas who tried to absolve himself by simply throwing the blood money back into the temple. We must allow God to deal with our hearts on this. The most common response I hear from people concerning abortion is, “I agree that it’s bad, but what can I do about it?” Well, actually there’s a lot you can do! But to begin with the answer is simple–as God’s people we must take responsibility and apply the blood of Christ. This needs to happen on both an individual and corporate dimension.

Daniel did this when he stood in intercession for Jerusalem. He didn’t point his finger at any named culprit. He identified himself with the faulty state of the nation; repented on behalf of his kinsmen; and sought the forgiveness of the Lord.

“We have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. We have not listened to your servants the prophets… We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act!” (Da 9:5-6, 18-19 NIV)

Who will stand before the Lord in this way for the sake of our nation? Who will take that responsibility?

Tags: Abortion, Bloodguilt, Daniel, Judas, Responsibility, Shedding Innocent Blood