No more in Jesus!
Ezra's dealing with the Israelites having married foreign women while being held captive. This was something the Lord had commanded Israel not to do. We will handle this topic more chap. 10, but for now look at how Ezra reacted to sinful behavior.
"When I heard about this matter, I tore my garment and my robe, and pulled some of the hair from my head and my beard, and sat down appalled... and I sat appalled until the evening offering. But at the evening offering I arose from my humiliation... "O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to You, my God, for our iniquities have risen above our heads and our guilt has grown even to the heavens." Ez 9:3-6
There are two sides to these verses to consider:
1- Can we say we see the world appalled, ashamed, or even embarrassed at sinful behavior?
2- Do we recognize as the church the gift Christ offers? He completely wipes away shame and embarrassment from sin. In Christ we have been justified and are being sanctified. It's a wonderful gift.
Considering this. We should be praying for those in the bondage of sin to receive Jesus. And we should be praising Jesus for the freedom of living in Him.
-To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.