The Risen ChristSample

Repentance

"...Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17).

Jesus’ public ministry began where John the Baptist’s ministry left off: with a call for people to repent. The Greek word for repentance is metanoia, which literally means to change your mind. Repentance is closely linked with conversion, which literally means to turn around. So Jesus begins by urging us to stop and think. Are my values in line with the Kingdom’s? Is God first in my life? Maybe I need to rethink some of my basic assumptions about God and myself. Lent is a good time to do that.

It’s also the season when we should check our spiritual compass. Which way am I headed? Am I facing towards God, aiming my life in His direction, or moving away from Him? Do I need to turn around? The classic story of conversion in the Bible is Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son (see Luke 15:11-24). You remember him, don’t you? He’s the guy who dissed his father, grabbed his share of the family fortune, and went off to live it up. But one day he woke up in misery and knew he needed to at least try to head back home.

Here’s the thing, though: this is not a one-time deal. If you are at all like me, you need to be converted again and again. Because the prodigal in us doesn’t go away. We’re constantly wandering off into a “far country” (Luke 15:13), places that are a long way away from our Heavenly Father. And He is constantly waiting for us to come to our senses and return: “...He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9 NIV).

PRAYER: Father, when I wander, prompt me to return.