Stop Holding On



Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me,
for I have not yet ascended to the Father.
But go to my brothers and tell them,
‘I am going to my Father and your Father,
to my God and your God.’”   John 20:17

In what sense should I “let go” of Jesus? Certainly not in the sense of letting go of my belief in Him and trust in Him and faith in Him and His teaching. Rather, what do I do that tries to prevent Jesus from uniting with God? Or perhaps the question is, how do I try to limit Jesus, to prevent Him from being God over my life? 

Failing to trust is a big aspect. Trying to take control from Him (of Him?) and fighting sin and temptation and fear by myself. Much of sin is fear. Fear that I’m losing out. Fear that God hasn’t “got this” so I have to deal with it alone. Fear that my sins are not taken care of, that I’m not really forgiven. Fear of what the future will bring and failing to trust God. Fear that God will ask too much of me, more than I can handle - after all it’s me who is supposed to handle it, isn't it? Feat that the grace He offers won’t be sufficient to the task. Fear that I won’t be able, that I just can’t give up things I’ll be asked to give up, that my life will be empty and I will die empty and alone. 

“Stop holding on to me,” He says. “Let me do the work of taking care of you, my lost sheep.” Yes, we were made to love God, that is our ultimate goal, the home and happiness that is ours if we let Jesus guide us there. But God also made us so He could love us without bounds. What a terrible thing it is to reject that love. How alone and soul-sick I make myself when I do it. And when He comes to the rescue, as He always does, am I willing to accept the help?

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