Repentance

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Scripture: Matthew4:12-17

12 Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

            15         “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,

the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—

            16         the people dwelling in darkness

have seen a great light,

                        and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death,

on them a light has dawned.”

17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

 

Meditation:

            Today’s scripture gives us Matthew’s account of the beginning of Jesus public ministry. Jesus begins with a call to repentance. Jesus was announcing that the kingdom of God was coming and folks would need to repent of their selfish ways in order to see it, and participate in it.

            I wonder if that isn’t the problem with today’s church. We get so busy. All wrapped up in our plans and programs that we forget that we too need to repent. Especially we need to repent of beings so busy with our plans and our programs that we forget who we are doing them for.

            Is it possible that we have forgotten that we should be seeking first God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness? We forget the promise that all necessary things will be added to us if we follow Jesus’ instructions. Our eyes get focused on our earthly food and not the food that Jesus alone can provide.

            Let us repent then from our manyness and our muchness and look to God to provide us with treasures in heaven where the moth and the thief are not allowed. Keeping our eyes focused on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith let us always remember why we are busy in the service of the kingdom.

 

Prayer:

Bring us to repentance, Lord. We pray for the Church, that we may find healing when we fall short of acting as the body of Christ. We pray for true spiritual conversion in our hearts, that the Spirit of God may guide us to change our selfish ways and turn more fully toward God. Amen.

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