Mat 3:1-2; Repentance Is Not a Bad Word.

Class Outline:

Wednesday December 6, 2023

 

Change is a theme in the Gospels and so in our own spiritual lives.

 

The main theme of chapter 3 is the coming of the King and the kingdom in which ritual (baptism with water) is going to change to reality, the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

 

MAT 3:1-2

Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, 2 "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." 

 

NT word:

Repent - metanoeo = to change the mind. Biblically, a complete change of attitude, spiritual and moral, towards God.

 

Fallen man needs to have his idea of self-sufficiency or hopelessness changed to the idea of condemned sinner who has hope in Christ.

 

For John’s message, the need for change is the need to return to their true allegiance as God’s people.

 

Repentance is a universal need, before and after salvation.

 

The Hebrew term for repent is nacham = to repent, to comfort.

Comfort is an attempt to change a heart or relationship.

 

This word usage in the OT helps us to see a connection we normally would not. When calamity comes upon God’s people for their sins, God allows them to repent and He forgive and that brings them comfort.

 

John’s message of repentance is the same of many of the OT prophets.

 

HOS 12:6

Therefore, return to your God,

Observe kindness and justice,

And wait for your God continually.

 

John the Baptist’s message to the people includes the exhortation to change their greed.

 

LUK 3:10-14

And the crowds were questioning him, saying, "Then what shall we do?" 11 And he would answer and say to them, "The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise." 12 And some tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, "Teacher, what shall we do?" 13 And he said to them, "Collect no more than what you have been ordered to." 14 Some soldiers were questioning him, saying, "And what about us, what shall we do?" And he said to them, "Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages."

 

In each case, the Holy Spirit wants us to see that the people were ruled by greed.

 

Greed = pride, fear.

Repentance = comfort to self and others.

 

Greed would blind Israel from the King.

 

HOS 12:6-8

Therefore, return to your God,

Observe kindness and justice,

And wait for your God continually.

7 A merchant, in whose hands are false balances,

He loves to oppress.

8 And Ephraim said, "Surely I have become rich,

I have found wealth for myself;

In all my labors they will find in me

No iniquity, which would be sin."

 

And we see this exactly played out in the Gospels.

 

Israel needs to change if they are going to accept Jesus of Nazareth as King, and that is why John is sent ahead of Him.

 

To round off our definition or understanding of repentance, let’s look at God’s repentance.

 

The fact that it is a change of mind is made more certain in that the word is applied several times to God Himself.

 

God told Moses to stand aside and He would destroy “this people.” Moses prayed and God:

 

EXO 32:8

So the Lord changed His mind about the harm which He said He would do to His people.

 

If the people repent God will change His judgment.

JER 18:8

if that nation against which I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent concerning the calamity I planned to bring on it.

 

JOE 2:13

And rend your heart and not your garments."

Now return to the Lord your God,

For He is gracious and compassionate,

Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness

And relenting of evil.

 

As God changed His actions, He always remained faithful to His own righteousness.

 

JON 3:10

When God saw their deeds, that they turned from their wicked way, then God relented concerning the calamity which He had declared He would bring upon them. And He did not do it.

 

We learn from God’s repentance that even with perfection and perfect wisdom, it is important to make the right decision in the context of your situation. This is a form of repentance that is divine.

 

Divine repentance: You change your actions based on your environment - still acting righteously.

 

Different situations call for different behaviors that are appropriate.

 

Unbeliever repentance: Fallen man needs to have his idea of self-sufficiency or hopelessness changed to the idea of condemned sinner who has hope in Christ.

 

This could comprise any number of repentances in the life of the unbeliever where God is lovingly making him or her aware of their need of Him and bringing them to a point where the Person of Christ breaks upon their heart as the one and only Savior. How many ways can we word this statement to please all the dominant salvation views? Blah..

 

Believer repentance: usually the result of pain (2CO 7:9).

Pain means that something is wrong.

Make it right with the power and wisdom of God.