Jesus Shows Us An Example Of True Repentance
Jesus (Luke 19:1-10 AKJV)
"19 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchæus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchæus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
8 And Zacchæus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."
First Beloved, let us look at the beginning of this story of saving grace, in verse 1, Jesus comes to town! Jesus enters and passes through Jericho, and we have the record that a soul is changed! Now folks today will tell you repentance means "change your mind." That is a partial truth, which in reality is not Truth since it is wanting for the rest of the parts that come with repentance. No where in these ten verses is the word repentance mentioned. It doesn't have to be, it is played out in real life.
Secondly friend, let us look at the word repent that Jesus used when He said, "UNLESS YE REPENT, YE SHALL LIKE WISE PERISH."
"13 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilæans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilæans were sinners above all the Galilæans, because they suffered such things?
3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." (Luke 13:1-5 AKJV)
Notice in this passage, Jesus twice uses the term REPENT, in typical Hebrew teacher style which means LISTEN!!!!!!!!!! This is the word Jesus used:
"In the NT the subject chiefly has reference to "repentance" from sin, and this change of mind involves both a turning from sin and a turning to God. The parable of the Prodigal Son is an outstanding illustration of this. Christ began His ministry with a call to "repentance," Matt. 4:17, but the call is addressed, not as in the OT to the nation, but to the individual. In the Gospel of John, as distinct from the Synoptic Gospels, referred to above, "repentance" is not mentioned, even in connection with John the Baptist's preaching; in John's Gospel and 1st Epistle the effects are stressed, e.g., in the new birth, and, generally, in the active turning from sin to God by the exercise of faith." (Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words)
Reader, do you see what repentance truly is? See how the change of the mind, the cognitive mind, the volitional will (the part of us, me, you, that makes me Jason Bryant, and you who you are.) This is the spirit of "who" we are, the person that comes to brokenness, and awareness of sin, and the need of the Savior! It is a change of the heart, mind, soul, and body... seeing how they are ALL connected. If one truly repents, his mind starts the process, his heart comes in agreement with what his mind knows, it becomes broken and contrite, and then the soul longs for forgiveness, and the volitional will says no more! I want what Jesus offers, and the body (the transgressor guided by iniquity) will follow suit. The story in Luke of Jesus and Zacchaeus shows the whole process. Not only does Zacchaeus change his mind, his attitude is stripped in the presence of Jesus, so much so that his attitude changes! He not only repents, he forsakes the sin that had made him a wealthy man and a hated Hebrew among his own people. The WHOLE crux of the story is this beloved, if you only change your mind, you have NOT repented. If you have changed your mind because of the Holy Spirit has convicted you, well... your thoughts, attitudes, and actions will correspond as Zacchaeus did. A murder will quit killing, an adulterer will leave the adulterous relationship and NEVER look back, the thief will quit stealing. Not to obtain salvation beloved, but because salvation has regenerated the man! Please, please share with the Saints... if we had more Biblical repentance, we would have more power and victory in this fallen world, and the lost would forsake their sin and come to Jesus. Love in Christ, Jason
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