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.
“While fasting with the body, brethren, let us also fast in spirit. Let us loose every bond of iniquity; let us undo the knots of every contract made by violence; let us tear up all unjust agreements; let us give bread to the hungry and welcome to our house the poor who have no roof to cover then, that we may receive great mercy from Christ our God.”
—The Lenten Triodion
Day 11: Dismissing Others
Culture always wants to categorize people instead of connect them, but according to Scripture the only two categories God’s human race will fit into are as follows: 1) believers—the found, and 2) unbelievers—the lost. Jesus was always focused on finding the lost and helping them become the found. Jesus did not dismiss anyone who was earnestly longing to know him and be a part of his Kingdom.
Think about the blind beggar, Bartimaeus, who shouted for Jesus to extend him mercy and Zacchaeus the corrupt tax collector who climbed a Sycamore tree in order to see Jesus. Did Jesus dismiss them like other people in the culture did? No. Because both these social outcasts wanted to see Jesus, he invested his time and energy to help them reconnect in the Father’s love. The lives of both these men changed in just one encounter with Jesus; their persistence served their spiritual needs.
During Jesus’ time on earth, many people were considered outcast suffering from some form of stigma. They were marginalized and many times left needy. The widows, orphans, children, infirm, blind, lame, and mute were never turned away by Jesus. Instead, he shined the light of his love upon them and brought change to their lives.
In our passage today, Jesus shares about his all-encompassing and all-providing love for his human creation. He is the only Way to the Father and the One we must ask for help. Let’s fast the tendency to dismiss others, because God never dismisses anyone willing to be transformed into his image.
John 14:1-14 NLT Jesus, the Way to the Father
1 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.”
5 “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. 7 If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”
8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”
9 Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. 11 Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.
12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!
Prayer: Lord, help us to be willing to welcome others into your Kingdom. We fast our tendency to see your Kingdom as similar to the world’s system. We all fit nicely into a whole when we call upon your name for salvation and transformation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.