The news reports that many of the participants in the insurrection at the US Capitol last year have plead guilty. Interestingly, many of those plea deals include some excuse they hope the judge will use as a mitigating factor. “I had a poor childhood.” “I got caught up with the crowd.” “I was heeding the president.” Contrast that with the behavior of his King David when he was confronted with his conduct. David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” No excuses. I have sinned. In our psychological age sinfulness is not something we ordinarily admit to. “I’m a good person” as if that excuses bad conduct. Jesus takes away the sin of the world — but first we must own up to ours.
