11The Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for this is a sacred day. Do not grieve.”
This chapter recalls the reaction of the people of God as they heard the Law read and understood its implications to their lives after not hearing the Law for many years. As they understood the Law, they cried. They grieved. The leaders tried to get them to stop their grieving and celebrate, but the people had a hard time turning off the grief. There was a profound sadness as they heard the failures of their ancestors and the punishments that had followed. The pain they were living was the result of their ancestor’s rebellions. I think they also heard the possibility of their own sins bringing punishment again, and were grieved at their own sins. The leaders kept reminding them that it was a sacred day. The Lord was giving them another chance. They could turn over a new leaf. They could start obeying, now that they knew for themselves what the Law required. Then they started rejoicing. And their joy was as high as their sorrow had been low. I think they understood grace in that moment. They knew they didn’t deserve forgiveness, and yet the Lord withheld His hand of judgment from them. The Lord blessed their joyous celebration. When we are fully aware of the depth of our sin and the breadth of God’s grace, we too can fully rejoice. We must die to the notion that we are “not so bad” and be reborn with the conviction that we are worse than we ever imagined. When that happens, grace can envelope and fill. But death must come first.
The Arnold Journey 