Why Hide from our Sin?
My wife and I are in Phoenix for a ministry conference this week. When we landed, we did what any non-West Coast resident who hasn’t eaten all day does when they land in the magical land of In-N-Out, they go. We got our double-doubles and fries and decided to eat outside because it was a beautiful day.
That’s when Anthony walked up. Anthony looks like what you are probably thinking, but a step up. A worn hoodie and jeans with holes that weren’t a fashion designer’s intention, dirt, and wound-covered arms from a life on the streets wearing a sweat-stained Cubs hat to finish the ensemble. Anthony asked if he could have some money for lunch. And I offered to buy him a meal.
And this is when Anthony made my day. As we were standing there, unprovoked, Anthony confessed, “Yeah, man, I got out of prison two weeks ago, and this is going to be my first real meal. If you had given me cash, I was going to use it for drugs. But this works too, I guess.” The honesty was amazing. I laughed it off, and he ordered his meal.
I couldn’t help but think of what Jesus said at the party He made Levi throw in Mark 2:
“15 And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16 And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:15-17)
Anthony, in the midst of his struggles, got it. There’s no reason to hide from our brokenness. Just like Anthony, those around us see our sins, struggles, faults, and brokenness. Yet, how often do we try to act like we have it figured out? How often do we hide the real motivations for our actions? How often do we dare not look in the mirror because we are afraid of the sinner we will see? How often do we try to appear healthy?
Yet the beauty of the kingdom is that Jesus came for those who are sick, broken, and struggling with addiction, pride, gluttony, anger, and jealousy. He came for those who see their brokenness and know they aren’t the answer. In the “upsidedowness” of the Kingdom of God, when we acknowledge our brokenness and our sickness, that is when Jesus works most clearly.
You don’t have to hide. You don’t have to lie. You don’t have to hide from the reality of your sin. You can be like Anthony, the Sainted Sinner of In-N-Out, who was open with his brokenness, with sinful plans and desires, with his struggles and failures. In turn, God provided. In turn, God fed him. In turn, Jesus still willingly died for him. In turn, Jesus was able to show His love to him through a $13 meal. Go this day and be like Anthony! Stop hiding from your sin!
