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.
“God’s mercy is greater than our sins. There is an awareness of sin that does not lead to God but rather to self-preoccupation. Our temptation is to be so impressed by our sins and failings and so overwhelmed by our lack of generosity that we get stuck in a paralyzing guilt. It is the guilt that says, ‘I am too sinful to deserve God’s mercy.’It is the guilt that leads to introspection instead of directing our eyes to God. It is the guilt that has become an idol and therefore a form of pride. Lent is the time to break down this idol and to direct our attention to our Loving Lord.” —-Henri Nouwen
Day 23: Fasting Guilt and Fear
At the Last Supper, Jesus was aware of Judas’ betrayal, Peter’s denial, and the knowledge his disciples would desert him in his time of need. Yet, he washed their feet, anyway. Jesus understood the emotions sin would leave within his followers. Let’s not forget, Jesus was fully human and fully divine and acquainted with our grief, our guilt, our pain, and our fears.
We all have hidden weaknesses. I know we tend to focus on the divinity of Christ, but he was also a human being who had to sort through his feelings, too. Maybe washing the feet of the disciples helped Jesus wash away his emotions as he faced the cross.
Today, we fast guilt and fear as we seek to remember the humanity of Jesus. We must resist having a wrong perspective of our Savior. “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin” (Heb 4:15). Give God your guilt and fear, you have no need of it and it only hinders your fellowship with Christ. “Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love (1 John 4:18).
John 18:15-18 NLT Peter’s First Denial
15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, as did another of the disciples. That other disciple was acquainted with the high priest, so he was allowed to enter the high priest’s courtyard with Jesus. 16 Peter had to stay outside the gate. Then the disciple who knew the high priest spoke to the woman watching at the gate, and she let Peter in. 17 The woman asked Peter, “You’re not one of that man’s disciples, are you?”
“No,” he said, “I am not.”
18 Because it was cold, the household servants and the guards had made a charcoal fire. They stood around it, warming themselves, and Peter stood with them, warming himself.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the Word that helps us understand our weaknesses and limitations. Rather than make our guilt an idol that robs us, we choose to come to you and ask for a cleansing only you can bring our lives. Refresh us, Lord, and help us serve you based on your great love for us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.