From Sticky Souls to Transformed Hearts
God’s command—from the glorious clouds overshadowing the Transfiguration of Jesus in the gospels—reminds us: when we listen and do whatever the Son of God says he will lead us from barrenness due to selfish living into righteous fruit-producing living for the glory of God. Self cannot satisfy self. We must hunger for God.
This is basically our journey for Lent, because sinful attitudes and actions try to stick to our souls and destroy our Life with God. Jesus wants us to produce righteous fruit that bring glory to our King’s rule and reign.
Day 1: Ash Wednesday
“Christian spirituality is not a life project for becoming a better person.”
Eugene Peterson
As a culture, we are suffocating in self, so giving up chocolate or social media for Lent is not going to lead us into awe over Christ’s death and resurrection. God desires for us to grow and develop in spiritual maturity. He cares about what we are becoming as his sons and daughters. Faith is about the surrender of our souls—and our souls can be sticky with selfishness that crave the gratification of ungodly desires, indifference toward unhealthy attitudes or actions, and the greedy acquisition of unlimited possessions. None of these things will grow and intensify our communion with God. So, we are going to set aside the next forty days to honor the Lord our Savior.
Lent is not a project, it is an experiential journey with the Savior. So, in our reading today from the Gospel of John please put yourself as an observer in the story. Note there is Judas sitting in the presence of Christ—a selfish and greedy thief with a sticky soul who pretends to be a disciple of Christ who cares for the poor. Now contrast the deceptive Judas with Mary the worshiper who comes to the Savior with selfless devotion and an extravagant gift of perfume with which to bless him. Your senses are alive with the fragrance of Mary’s worship. She pushes through the veil into the holy place with the Lord. She is determined to remain in this place with her Christ. Will you remain in his presence today?
John 12:1-11 Jesus Anointed at Bethany
1 Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. 2 A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him. 3 Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.
4 But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, 5 “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” 6 Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself.
7 Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
9 When all the people heard of Jesus’ arrival, they flocked to see him and also to see Lazarus, the man Jesus had raised from the dead. 10 Then the leading priests decided to kill Lazarus, too, 11 for it was because of him that many of the people had deserted them and believed in Jesus.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your generous love and grace. Please forgive our greedy inclinations and lead us into worship. Help us remain with you, today.