You Don’t Stay Neutral
“Go to my brothers and tell them…” - John 20:17 (CSB)
Mary came to the tomb grieving. That’s how the story started. But that’s not how it ends. Because after Jesus calls her name… after she sees Him… after everything clicks…
He gives her a command. “Go… and tell them.”
Don’t miss how fast that happens. There’s no long pause. No extended moment to sit in it. No, “take a few days and process this.” Encounter… then commission.
Because once you’ve encountered the risen Jesus… staying neutral isn’t an option anymore. You can’t put Him back into the category of:
And that’s where this gets real. A lot of us are comfortable with a version of faith where we admire Jesus… but still keep control.
And that sounds heavy at first… until you realize something. The One calling you to surrender… is the same One who gave His life for you.
This isn’t control taken from you. It’s life given to you. But it still requires a response.
Not later. Not someday. Now.
Reflection Question
Where are you still trying to stay in control instead of fully surrendering to Jesus?
If Jesus is alive, neutrality is no longer an option.
Prayer
Jesus, I don’t want to keep You at a distance. Show me where I’ve been holding back. Give me the courage to fully surrender my life to You, trusting that Your way leads to life. Amen.
Mary came to the tomb grieving. That’s how the story started. But that’s not how it ends. Because after Jesus calls her name… after she sees Him… after everything clicks…
He gives her a command. “Go… and tell them.”
Don’t miss how fast that happens. There’s no long pause. No extended moment to sit in it. No, “take a few days and process this.” Encounter… then commission.
- She came broken.
- She leaves sent.
Because once you’ve encountered the risen Jesus… staying neutral isn’t an option anymore. You can’t put Him back into the category of:
- “Interesting.”
- “Inspiring.”
- “Important.”
And that’s where this gets real. A lot of us are comfortable with a version of faith where we admire Jesus… but still keep control.
- We like grace.
- We like forgiveness.
- We like hope.
- Not partially.
- Not occasionally.
- Fully.
And that sounds heavy at first… until you realize something. The One calling you to surrender… is the same One who gave His life for you.
This isn’t control taken from you. It’s life given to you. But it still requires a response.
Not later. Not someday. Now.
Reflection Question
Where are you still trying to stay in control instead of fully surrendering to Jesus?
If Jesus is alive, neutrality is no longer an option.
Prayer
Jesus, I don’t want to keep You at a distance. Show me where I’ve been holding back. Give me the courage to fully surrender my life to You, trusting that Your way leads to life. Amen.
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