What Kind of Sin?
April 8, 2025 - Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent
John 8:21–30
In today’s Gospel, the word “sin” appears twice—first in the singular and then in the plural. During the Eucharist, the priest declares, “This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world,” while John the Baptist proclaimed, “This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” This raises a crucial question: What kind of sin did the Lamb of God come to remove? It is the sin of unbelief.
The Jewish authorities of Jesus’ time personified a world that refused to believe in God and consistently disobeyed His commandments. In Scripture, obedience is an expression of faith; if one does not believe that Jesus is the Word made flesh, one cannot truly follow his teachings. This is the central challenge presented in today’s Gospel, where Jesus warns, “Unless you believe that I AM, you will die in your sins.”
The invisibility of God has always been a profound mystery and, for many, a stumbling block. Our need for tangible proof often leads us to create statues and images—acts that give rise to idolatry. Yet idolatry invariably leads to further moral decay. Those who worship the work of their hands ultimately become enslaved to their own lusts and sinful passions (see Rom 1:23–31).
In Jesus, however, the invisible God is made visible. The Jewish authorities had the unique opportunity to see the Word of Life. In Him, the God of Exodus—who revealed Himself to Moses in the burning bush with the declaration “I AM”—became manifest. Had they believed, salvation would have been theirs. Instead, they questioned His sanity and even slandered Him, implying that Jesus sought to end His own life.
The sin of unbelief is not an isolated failing; it leads to many other sins, including the grave act of murdering the innocent. As James reminds us, “You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you” (James 5:6). Jesus never intended to bring about His own death. Rather, He was condemned and sentenced to death by those who refused to believe in Him—and He did so without resistance. For those who believe, however, Jesus remains the source of eternal salvation. He is the “I AM” who alone can take away the sin of the world and purify us from our many transgressions.