God Restrains Himself

It’s fascinating that God tells us to prepare the way. Why would He do that? Isn’t He able to melt any mountain and hurdle any valley? Can’t He level any obstacle and overpower any foe? Of course, He can. Nothing can stop God. However, He still tells us to prepare the way. Why?

God prepares the way for our sake–not for His. He doesn’t need the way prepared. We do. If God reveals Himself to a people unprepared to meet Him, then they could ignorantly discard and dishonor the only One who is able to save them. In His mercy, God sends forerunners to prepare the hearts of men to perceive and receive the beauty of God. He restrains revelation until we are able to respond appropriately.

Consider what Jesus told the disciples in John 16:12, 13: “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth . . . .” Jesus wanted to give them more revelation, but He restrained it because they were not ready to receive it. He then promised that the Holy Spirit would prepare their hearts, guiding them into truth as they were able to handle it.

How does this fit into your world during Passion Week? Well, Easter is a season where each of us heeds the words of John the Baptist: “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). We gaze afresh at the cross of Jesus Christ. Different people do this in different ways. Some read devotionals like this one. Most churches put strong emphasis on Communion. Others annually watch Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ. In our similar and different ways, we endeavor to behold the Lamb.

Here are my questions to you: This year, what will you see? Will you see Jesus with eyes of revelation or will you see Him with eyes of familiarity? Are you prepared to receive something new?

Before John the Baptist said, “Behold,” he said, “Prepare.” Before John identified the Lamb to the multitudes, he prepared the multitudes for the Lamb. In other words, John the Baptist knew that if the people of Israel were going to see Jesus correctly, then they needed to prepare themselves to see Jesus correctly. How did they do this? By confessing and repenting of any sin that could obstruct their vision. The multitudes not only came to hear John preach, but they “were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins” (Matthew 3:6). Through confession, repentance, and baptism, they prepared their hearts to meet the Lamb.

How do you prepare your heart this Easter season? Simply ask God if there is anything obstructing your vision. Ask God to bring awareness to any areas that grieve the Holy Spirit. As you acknowledge, repent, and release those, it clears your eyes and prepares your heart. And God will not restrain Himself when our hearts are ready to meet Him.