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.
“There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men” (Matthew 28:2-4).
Day 39: Fasting the Shame of Guarding Dead Tombs
Pilate secured the tomb of Jesus with a seal and with soldiers to separate the living from the dead. Just about the time guarding the tomb seemed uneventful, there was another earthquake and an angel showed up to roll the stone away from the tomb. This wasn’t to let Jesus out of the tomb—he was already gone—it was to allow the women to enter and witness the miracle affirmed by the angel, “He is risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him!” (Mat 28:6-7).
Sometimes when we feel alone and defeated as we visit the dead [spiritually lifeless] tombs of our past and even the present, Jesus has simply gone ahead of us. He waits patiently for us to leave graceless perspectives, passions, and positions, behind and move forward. Jesus unsettles us in order to arrange our lives according to God’s will. Usually, we do not see this unsettling of the Master as a good or even helpful change, but what we do not see is the miraculous and how Jesus uses even our weaknesses to bring the necessary transformation to our lives.
Peter has to let go of the past in order to receive the commission of Christ for his future. He has to leave the dead tombs filled with human reliance and embrace the strength and love of Christ. Three times Peter denied he knew Jesus. Now, three times he will affirm his love. All of this terribly unsettles Peter, but Jesus knows unless he pushes Peter to this crossroad he will not be able to renew his mind in the Truth that no failure on his part changes the love of God.
Today, we fast the shame of guarding dead tombs. Like soldiers, we tend to guard them because if they were opened up to the Truth, it would be obvious God is not in them. They were the craft of the enemy to destroy us. We can and must celebrate the empty tomb. Jesus knows all things and nothing is hidden from him. When all things are confessed, all things are forgiven and we can rejoice in resurrected living.
John 21:15-19 NLT 15 After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”
“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.
16 Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”
“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.
17 A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.
18 “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the many ways you seek to rid us of our wrong perspectives, weaknesses, and wrecked emotions. The enemy is always busy trying to rob, kill, and destroy the God-centered life, but Jesus opened a way for victory. We refused to bow to the work of evil, so we reach for your righteous right hand today and we declare our love for you. Holy Spirit, help us serve our Lord. In Jesus’ name.