(December 21,2012)
Introduction
I have been married for more than three years now. My wife is now a participant in many of my Bible studies and discussions. We came across a point of misunderstanding recently that has lead me to write this sermonette. Other events have also occurred in the meantime that have influenced its contents. With God all things work for good.
My topic for this sermonette is the word contrite.
SPS – Specific Purpose Statement
What does the word contrite mean?
Body
What does it mean to have a contrite spirit? Why is it often misunderstood? How is being contrite different from being repentant?
My Webster’s dictionary defines contrite as an adjective meaning penitent, thoroughly sorry especially for sin.
This definition sounds exactly like one for repentant. Contrite is not the same as repentant.
My King James dictionary defines contrite as Crushed, broken or bruised in spirit. Crushed, broken or bruised in spirit.
This is quite a contrast from the meaning given in the Webster dictionary which would easily lead someone who relied on it to misunderstanding. The King James dictionary is much more in line with the true definition of contrite.
One repents of having done something wrong or of having sinned.
To be contrite, on the other hand, usually comes from having been wronged or of having sin committed against you and you reacting to it.
Please open your Bibles and turn to Isaiah 66, the last chapter of Isaiah, verses 1 and 2.
Isaiah 66:1-2 (Revised Standard Version)
Thus says the LORD: “Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool; what is the house which you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? 2 All these things my hand has made, and so all these things are mine, says the LORD. But this is the man to whom I will look, he that is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.
If your spirit has been bruised by the affairs of this world you should not despair because God understands, will look on you and will not abandon or give up on you. But you should also be humble and respectful of the word of God as the verse states.
The world is full of injustices, unfairness and evil. Some are bound to fall victim or to be adversely affected by it. It was not easy for Jesus to continue to do the will of His Father when He was nailed and dying but He pressed on to the end. It was not a time to express joy. Joy was far from Him in those moments as it is for one with a contrite spirit.
Having children shot dead while attending school can cause some, especially parents, to become contrite in spirit, that is broken hearted or grievous.
This is very different from someone who is talking on a cell phone while driving and kills a child. The person having committed such an act might become very sorrowful and repentant and may never use a cell phone while driving again. This is repentance.
The contrite are often innocent. The repentant are guilty.
Another thing that may lead to being contrite is being wronged for doing right. This is what the bible has to say in this regard.
Please turn to Luke 6. Luke chapter 6 verses 27 and 28.
Luke 6:27-28 (New King James Version)
But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.
pray for those who mistreat you. Says the New American Standard Bible.
Your enemies, those who hate you and those who mistreat you or spitefully use you are those who cause you to become contrite, that is to have a broken, bruised or grievous spirit.
But this verse also contains the cure. Let’s read it again.
Luke 6:27-28 (NKJV)
But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.
This develops Godly character, righteousness. This is the antidote to being contrite. Love, do good, bless and pray. This is the way to heal the wounds of injustice. In this way will you attain life. It is the way of God, the way of a Christian.
You who are contrite are not alone. You are not forgotten nor rejected as we saw in Isaiah 66:2. We have a great example to follow, One who is acquainted with sorrow, Jesus.
Look at Mark chapter 14, Mark 14 verse 34.
Mark 14:34 (NASB)
And He, Jesus, said to them, - My soul is deeply grieved to the point of death; remain here and keep watch.
Jesus was contrite here. You probably remember the scenario. His goal was to save mankind according to His Father’s will. Had He been repentant for having created man He would have had the intention of putting them all to death. We all know that this was not the case. His objective was to forgive and to save mankind. He was contrite. He was deeply grieved because of what He had to suffer because of the sins of man, not because of His own sins. We know that He was without sin. He was contrite, not repentant.
Let’s read Isaiah 66:2 again
But this is the man to whom I will look, he that is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.
Jesus was certainly a prime example. The verse is also encouragement to all those who are of a contrite spirit, God will look upon you. Jesus is a prime example and in Him lies hope for all through the way and the resurrection.
Jesus did not need to repent for He was without sin. This did not spare Him from being contrite to the point of death.
See Mark 14:34 again.
Mark 14:34 (NASB)
And Jesus said to them, - My soul is deeply grieved to the point of death;
I think this verse gives us a very good definition of what it means to be contrite, to grieve deeply to the point of death.
Conclusion
There is much in the Bible that is misunderstood by many. We should continue to study, to research, to learn and to instruct each other and others.
Being humble is easy if you give it any effort at all. What are we compared to God? Being contrite is difficult to overcome. It can only be done through the grace of God who has given us a savior, Jesus, and a guide, the Bible.
It helps to have a wife who can give a different perspective on a problem or situation that may otherwise go unnoticed.
Thanks be to God for all things!
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