Our reading is Nahum 1:7-11. Nahum spoke to the people in the city of Ninevah. Those were complex times for Ninevah because it was the capital of the cruel and wicked Assyrian Empire, which covered parts of present-day Iraq, Iran and Turkey. God had had enough of their sinning, so the people must pay. Those were not empty words. History tells us Ninevah was destroyed by a great fire in the year 612 BC. The book of Nahum teaches us sin must be taken seriously. It is as true today as it was in Nahum’s time.
According to Webster, a sin is an immoral act against divine law. Sin must be taken seriously because our sins damage our relationship with God. While most of us are not known for our cruelty or wickedness, everyone is a sinner. Roman 3:23, “All have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God.” That means we are more like the Ninevites than we care to admit.
James W. Moore (1938-2019) was the pastor of the St. Luke United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas from 1984-2006. He received his Master of Divinity degree from the Methodist Theological School in Delaware, Ohio. Through the years he wrote many books, which are nothing more than his printed sermons. One of those books is entitled Yes, Lord, I Have Sinned, But I Have Several Excellent Excuses. In that book, he tells us our sins originate from four sources.
Sometimes, we sin by being led astray. That is what happens in the parable of the lost coin. (Luke 15:8-10) A coin was equal to a day’s wages. That means it is worth finding. The coin did not grow legs and walk away. The coin was lost because someone misplaced it. That is what happens with people. Some sin because of the influence of others. That is why parents evaluate their children’s friends. That is why parents want their children to participate in wholesome activities. God fears we will be led astray by others too. Who are the most influential people in your life?
Sometimes, we sin by running away. That is what happens in the parable of the prodigal son. (Luke 15:11-32). It is a story of selfishness. Impatient for his father’s death, a son asks for his share of the inheritance while his father is still living. He took the cash and ran. For a short time, he lived life in the fast lane. Then, his money ran out, and he ended up struggling to survive. You can call it selfishness. Some sin because they think too highly of themselves and have no concern for others. Do the people in your life consider you selfish?
Sometimes, we sin because of resentment. The parable of the prodigal son reveals two sources of sin. The first is selfishness. The second is resentment. It is found in the older son who stayed home. While his little brother was out there living the wild life, he stayed home. He got up early daily and went to work. You can call him responsible, but he felt foolish. He dreamed of the adventures he was missing. At first, he must have admired his brother, but in the end, he resented his bother. It is no fun working when others are having fun. This could be the greatest source of sin in the church today. It is no fun trying to keep the church going when so many have forgotten the church. Who do you resent?
Sometimes we sin by wandering off. That was the story of the Ninevites. One hundred years earlier, God’s reluctant prophet, Jonah, arrived and told them they must repent. The people did, but in time they backslid. The Ninevites are not much different from us. We know what God wants us to do but often we refuse to do it. How far have you wandered away from God? Nahum reminds us there is a price to pay for sinning. However, this is the good news for today.
Nahum lived in Old Testament times, and we live in New Testament times. Ninevah got what they deserved. Their city was destroyed. We deserve to be punished too, but it will never happen because Jesus died for our sins. His death was not pretty because our sins are not pretty. Jesus’ death handled the sin problem. How you respond to Jesus’s death is extremely important. Is it just a passing thought, or is it a life changing experience?
My maternal grandparents lived at 202 Midwood Street in Brooklyn, New York. As a child, we visited my grandparents annually. Through my young eyes, their house was a mansion. Recently, I researched that massive home. It was constructed in 1901 and is 1,800 square feet. The market value of that home today is over $1.9 million. It is hard to compare property values in Brooklyn, New York with northeast, Ohio. Externally, the house was not original. My mother called it a “Brown Stone.” The entire neighborhood was filled with them. Each one was identical. Each one was constructed with brown stones, a flat roof, a bay window, and a flight of stairs leading up to the front door. The only thing that changed about each dwelling was the address. My grandparents lived at 202 Midwood Street. I will never forget that address because of an event that happened to me one day during one of our visits.
I was not very old. I must have been six or seven. My grandparents wanted to entertain me, so they borrowed a bicycle from a neighbor. The problem was there are very few places for a child to ride in the middle of Brooklyn. My only option was to ride up and down Midwood Street. I am confident my parents told me to be careful, and I am confident they told me the address, 202 Midwood Street, as all the houses looked the same. The problem was I did not listen to them. I was more interested in trying out the bicycle. When I jumped on the bike, I dreamed of wild adventures. I picked up speed fast and I imagined being in all kinds of exciting places. I was having a great time! When I snapped back to reality, I discovered the truth. I was lost in New York. All the homes were identical, and I did not know which one belonged to my grandparents. Emotionally, I went from the highest mountaintop to the lowest valley. Fear flooded through me. I thought I would never see my family again. How would I survive in the streets of New York alone? There was only one option, I began to cry. I promised myself I would never ride a bicycle again, and I prayed that God would help me.
God heard my prayer. My savior came to rescue me. In that emotional moment I heard comforting words. It was my mother, who had been watching me from the window the whole time. I do not remember her exact words, but I do remember the relief I felt when I saw her. I was safe. My mother took me by the hand, wiped my tears, and led me home. I took one last look at that horrible bicycle and walked inside. Can I ask you a question? When was the last time you were lost?
Russ Adams 