Go! And Prepare Your Heart (Shrove Tuesday) Series

Go! And Prepare Your Heart (Shrove Tuesday)

Introduction

Today we stand at the threshold of a season that calls us to reflection, repentance, and renewal. Shrove Tuesday is a day that, for many, is simply about pancakes. But for us as followers of Christ, it is much more—it is a time to prepare our hearts for a deeper walk with the Lord.

The word "shrove" comes from the Old English "shriven," meaning to confess one’s sins and receive absolution. It was traditionally a time for believers to examine their lives before entering Lent—a season of fasting, prayer, and drawing closer to God.

As we consider Shrove Tuesday, let us focus on three key biblical truths:

The Call to Confession and Repentance

The Need for Spiritual Preparation

The Joy of Renewal in Christ

May the Holy Spirit guide our hearts as we seek His truth today.

1. The Call to Confession and Repentance

Before we can walk closer with God, we must acknowledge our need for His mercy. Scripture reminds us of the necessity of confession and repentance:

1 John 1:9 (NLT) – "But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness."

The Greek word for confess is "homologeo" (?µ??????), meaning to agree with or acknowledge. To confess is not just admitting sin, but agreeing with God about our need for forgiveness.

True confession is an act of humility. We do not hide from God, but we come before Him, trusting in His faithfulness to cleanse us.

Proverbs 28:13 (NLT) – "People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy."

The Hebrew word for turn from is "azab" (?????), which means to forsake, abandon. Repentance is not just saying sorry—it is turning completely away from sin.

Imagine carrying a heavy backpack full of stones—each stone representing sin. The longer we carry it, the more it weighs us down. But when we confess, we lay down our burdens and walk in freedom.

Pastor Tim Keller once said, "The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope."

Tim Keller’s words capture the profound paradox of the Gospel—our desperate need and God's extravagant grace. The Bible is clear: “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” (Romans 3:23, NLT). Our sin is not a minor issue; it is a deep and pervasive reality. In ourselves, we are more sinful and flawed than we would ever admit.

Yet, the Gospel does not leave us in despair. God’s love reaches beyond our failures. Romans 5:8 (NLT) declares: “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” Before we ever sought Him, before we could attempt to earn His favour, Christ died for us. His love is not conditional, nor is His grace reserved for the worthy—it is given freely to those who would believe.

This truth should both humble and uplift us. Humble us because we cannot save ourselves, no matter how moral or religious we try to be. Uplift us because in Jesus, we are fully loved, fully accepted, and fully redeemed. Keller’s statement reminds us that the Gospel is not about our efforts but about Christ’s completed work. It is the greatest news we could ever receive!

As we approach Lent, let us not simply go through religious motions. Let us truly come before God, confess our sins, and experience the beauty of His grace.

2. The Need for Spiritual Preparation

Shrove Tuesday marks a time of preparation. Just as Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness before His ministry, we are called to prepare our hearts for the journey ahead.

Matthew 4:1-2 (NLT) – "Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry."

The Greek word for tempted is "peirazo" (pe?????), meaning to test or examine. Jesus endured testing to prepare for His mission.

We, too, must enter seasons of spiritual preparation. Fasting, prayer, and study equip us for the battles ahead.

Joel 2:12-13 (NLT) – "That is why the Lord says, ‘Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.’"

The phrase "tear your hearts" signifies deep, inward repentance, not just outward ritual.

Illustration: A farmer does not plant seeds on hardened ground—he first prepares the soil. In the same way, we must prepare our hearts to receive what God wants to grow in us.