Scripture: Joel 2:1-2; 12-17

It has become the mantra of the twenty-first century.  Regardless of where we go or what we do, we seem to be surrounded by those who insist they are innocent of any wrongdoing.   

A child is struck by a car.  The drunk driver, however, insists it’s not his fault.  After all, everyone knows the bartender should have taken his keys.   A Wall Street executive is accused of insider trading, but it’s not her fault that she trusted the wrong people and didn’t ask the right questions.  A well-known retail store sells clothing made in a sweatshop by children as young as eight years old.  But it is not that government’s fault because jobs are jobs.  It’s not the retail store’s fault because business is business.  And it most certainly is not the customer’s fault, because they are simply looking for quality at an affordable price.  Besides, how can we possibly be responsible for decisions we didn’t make?  It’s not our fault! 

The question we should be asking ourselves tonight is when did we become so blind . . . so calloused . . so uncaring?  While no one could whine or complain better than the Israelites, even they were willing to wrestle with the impact that both their personal and corporate sins had on others.  According to one writer, the people of Israel understood that . . . rise  or fall, they would experience life together. 

Learning, laboring and loving; searching, suffering and sharing; working, wondering and worshiping together – that is how God created us to be.  Yet, we have stepped away from each other.  We have retreated into our own personal worlds where we are the center of all that matters.  And, like Cain, when God calls to us over the cries of the world we respond:  It’s not my fault!  I have problems of my own.  So, how can you possibly expect me to be my brother’s keeper? 

Well, Christians, maybe it is time to rethink our positions!  After all, we are here tonight because a man named Jesus Christ decided to enter into our lives in human form.  He decided to share our burdens, to love us when we were the least loving, to feed us when we were hungry, and to care for us when we were hurt.  He didn’t have to do any of these things.  He could have stayed in the heavens where he was safe, where his needs were met, where his life was good. 

Yet, he chose to leave it all behind for you and for me.  Now, if Christ was willing to do that for us – to take on our sins and to heal our souls – shouldn’t we be willing to at least reach out to others with the same love . . . the same compassion . . . the same concern? 

Yet, there are so many things keeping us from reaching out into the world with the love of Christ.  There is fear, anger and hurt.  There is our self-centeredness, greed, and unwillingness to see Christ in others.  And, yes, there is also a tendency to make him so personal we are unwilling to share him with others. 

But, in the end, our ancient brothers and sisters were correct.  We must learn to experience life together – we must take responsibility for our personal and corporate sins – in order to help prepare the world for the coming of God’s reign. 

And now is the time to begin.  Now is the time to repent – to turn around and begin again.  Now is the day of salvation for you, for me, and for others.