Mark – It All Starts With Repentance

Yesterday my Thursday morning men’s group decided to start a journey through the Gospel of Mark. Wanting to get a head start, I read Chapter 1. Something hit me in the face: It all starts with Repentance. In Chapter 1 we learn that John the Baptist led the way for Jesus preaching a “baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” Mark 1:4.

The first words of Jesus that Mark records: “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:15″

The modern Christian lingo is a little light on repentance. We talk a lot about “salvation” and being “born again.” Not so much about “repentance.” Our Christian music proclaims “Good News,” being “Redeemed.” We know that “Jesus did it all” and “the battle is already won.” Not much mention of “repentance.”

The first step in looking at something like this is to consider the words which are translated “repent” or “repentance.” In the Old Testament, there is “nacham,” which means to turn around or to change the mind. Then there is “sub” used over 600 times and translated as “turn,” “return,” “seek,” or “restore.”

In the New Testament, its the Greek word “metanoia,” which means “to change the mind.” Well, that’s helpful. When we talk “repent” we are talking about a change in direction or attitude. That seems simple enough; but there is nothing simple in the world of biblical interpretation.

Some say repentance means  in order to receive eternal life, people must first repent of their sin, and then secondly, believe in Jesus. In this view, there is no salvation without repentance. However, this. begins to sound like works, that we play an essential part in salvation. That somehow takes away from “Jesus did it all.” Many Christians are uncomfortable with this. Noting that the Greek word for repentance (metanoia) means “to change the mind” they say that repentance is just the process of changing the mind about the source of one’s eternal life.

Of course, when we change our minds, we tend to change our actions. When we begin to see Jesus, as our source of salvation and turn away from sin, then, it would seem, we would stop sinning. Ever human knows it’s not that simple. The act of turning away from sin doesn’t guarantee holiness. That’s the real miracle of salvation, Jesus saves us from the consequences of our sin AND empowers us to turn from sin.

I’m basically a simple guy. I look at it this way. At some point we realize that what we are doing isn’t working, that the direction we are heading is taking us down the wrong path. We turn around. We no longer look to the world for guidance. We look to Jesus. Those of us who have made that turn, who follow Jesus as Savior and Lord; we know that following isn’t perfect. Like Peter, walking on water, we sometimes take our eyes off of Him and begin to sink. Sometimes our focus on Jesus is distracted by the glitter and confusion of the world.

As the power Jesus gives us to overcome sin begins to work, and we turn from some sin, new imperfections will be revealed and more “turning from” becomes necessary. The “good” thief turned from his ways and put his faith in Jesus. The next day He was with him in Paradise. Had he not died on that cross are we to believe he would have never stolen again? Never told a lie? Never sinned. I think not. His path after turning around was straight, because it was very short.

To me here’s the bottom, line: We must turn to Jesus to be saved. After that things change. But everything doesn’t change. There is still temptation. There are still falls. There is doubt. There is confusion. Satan is still around.

Jesus’ promises are still true. Salvation is real even if sanctification isn’t instant. We keep our eyes on the prize, Jesus. His work continues. We’ve repented we’ve turned around, we’ve changed our minds. We just need to keep on keeping on. That should given them lots to talk about on Thursday morning.