Deeper Issues

My kitchen was clean. The pile of papers and kid toys that often rested on the table were gone. Only an unidentified sour smell remained, but I had no time to deal with it. Guests were arriving soon, so I pretended the bad smell did not exist. Then I opened the refrigerator, and the smell became unbearable. It turns out, the black beans were spoiled. Now that I knew the source of the problem there was no escaping it; I was compelled to deal with it. I threw away the smelly beans, washed the container, and hoped the awful smell would dissipate quickly.
Today’s scripture helps us understand that we can look clean on the outside while “smelling” dirty on the inside. David has become so familiar with his sin that it no longer bothers him. In his mind he is a king who simply welcomed another wife and baby into his palace, but David’s actions displease the Lord. Despite David’s moral failing, God loves David and sends Nathan to deliver a parable capable of provoking David’s basic human senses to see the gravity of his sin. As a former shepherd boy, David understands how humans can grow fond of animals under their care and the great injustice the poor man suffers. The parable infuriates him. At this point, Nathan breaks the news: David is the sinner. Now he has the opportunity to repent and reconnect with God.
When sin settles in, we risk becoming familiar with it. But God’s love always makes a way for us to live free from the sting of sin. David receives a parable to reveal his wrongdoing; we have been given Jesus Christ.