One of our challenges for 2014 is to learn and live
all 50
commands of Jesus. Jesus told us that following his commandments
is a way to love him and a way for his love and his joy to fill our lives (John
15:9-12). In his Great Commission, Jesus tells his followers to make
disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey everything he commanded us
(Matthew 28:19-20). So each week in this year we are learning and living
one command of Jesus. Here is our command for this week...
Week 22:
From that time Jesus began to preach, saying,
"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 4:17).
Application:
The word repent is one of those church words that gets
used a lot but may be a little unclear in meaning to most listeners. Hopefully this helps. We recently celebrated Veterans Day. Have you ever seen military soldiers marching? One person takes the lead and calls out
commands. One of those commands is an
about-face. When the command is called,
the soldiers stop marching in one direction and make a U-Turn.
The word repent in the Greek New Testament simply means a
change in direction, a U-Turn. It was a
military term that described a soldier marching in one direction and then doing
an about-face. When this word is used in
a spiritual sense, it means a change of heart and mind. It signifies a turning away from sin and
turning to God.
This word is pretty important as it is the first word
Jesus chooses to begin his preaching ministry.
Jesus was direct and to the point.
“Repent,” he said, “for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
I have been telling you that every command comes with
Good News. Just like a military commander,
Jesus commands, “about-face!” Why? Because he has come near and we are missing
him. Because he has come near and we are
heading in the wrong direction. Because he
has come near and we are drifting far away.
Jesus calls us to repent so that we can turn to him. Listen to what he has in mind for those who
turn to him: “For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they
can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with
their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn,
and I would heal them,” (Matthew 13:15).
Jesus wants to heal us. He wants
to heal our wrongs with his forgiveness.
He wants to heal our hurts with his love. He wants to heal our brokenness with his
saving power. He wants to heal our
misconceptions with his truth. He wants
to heal our wanderings with his purpose.
He wants to heal our death with his eternal life. And most of all he wants to heal our relationship
with God.
Jesus has come near, friends. He has come near to earth and come near to
you, whether you recognize him or not.
Are there ways you need to repent?
Are there ways you need a change of mind, a change of heart, a change of
direction? How can you turn to Jesus
this week for healing?
Share your comments and application ideas…
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