What Does It Mean to Repent?
Scripture — Mark 1:14-15 (NRSV)
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”
Focus
We don’t hear the word “repentance” or its related verb “repent” very often these days. But when we do, it usually has something to do with being sorry for something you’ve done. Repentance for us is a kind of guilty sadness. In the preaching of Jesus, repentance does include sorrow that motivates us to leave behind our evil deeds and attitudes. But biblical repentance also includes moving forward into a new way of thinking and living. To repent is to turn your life around and pursue God and God’s ways. The gospel of the kingdom of God calls forth a whole new way of thinking, living, and being under the righteous, gracious reign of God.
This devotion is part of the series: Following Jesus in the Gospel of Mark.
Devotion
In Mark 1:15 we read a summary of the good news preached by Jesus: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near.” Jesus was preaching this good news, not just to inform people, but also to transform them. Thus, we should pay close attention to how Jesus expected people to respond to his good news so that we might know how we should respond to it today.
In a simple but powerful pair of imperatives, Jesus spells out how people should respond to the good news of the Kingdom of God: “Repent, and believe in the good news!” The second part of this imperative is the easiest for us to understand. Jesus was calling people to trust that he was telling the truth. The long-awaited reign of God was at hand in him and his ministry. His proclamation was true and worthy of full acceptance.
Yet it was not something that deserved mere intellectual assent. It wouldn’t have been enough if those who heard the good news of the kingdom had merely said, “That’s great. How true! Amen. Preach it, brother!” Rather, Jesus’s proclamation of the Kingdom called for a personal, whole-life response. It demanded repentance.
We don’t hear the word “repentance” or its related verb “repent” very often these days. But when we do, it usually has something to do with being sorry for something you’ve done. Repentance for us is a kind of guilty sadness.
This notion of repentance includes part of what Jesus intended. We should feel sorry for the ways in which we have dishonored God in thought, word, and deed. Yet that’s just the beginning. The NRSV uses the English word “repent” to translate the Greek imperative metanoeite. This Greek word suggests a profound turning, a new way of being. Yes, repentance includes sorrow that motivates us to leave behind our evil deeds and attitudes. But biblical repentance also includes moving forward into a new way of thinking and living. To repent is to turn your life around and pursue God and God’s ways. The gospel of the kingdom of God calls forth a whole new way of thinking, living, and being under the righteous, gracious reign of God.
Reflect
Have there been times in your life when you have repented? When? Why?
Do you have behaviors or beliefs from which you should turn away?
How might your life be different if your whole life was “pointed” in God’s direction?
Act
If you have become aware of a way in which you need to repent, talk with God about this. You might also find it helpful to talk with a wise friend, pastor, or spiritual director.
Pray
Gracious God, as I hear the good news of your reign, may I respond with all that I am. May I believe this good news. May I trust you as my King. May I leave behind everything in my life that opposes you. May I embrace a new way of living, one that honors you both in word and deed.
Help me, Lord, to live a life of repentance. Every time sin begins to take hold of me, may I turn away and turn toward you. May I seek you with all that I am, living in the newness and joy of your kingdom. Amen.
Find all Life for Leaders devotions here. Explore what the Bible has to say about work at the unique website of our partners, the Theology of Work Project. Reflection on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: Mark 1:14–15. The Kingdom of God.
Mark D. Roberts
Senior Fellow
Dr. Mark D. Roberts is a Senior Fellow for Fuller’s Max De Pree Center for Leadership, where he focuses on the spiritual development and thriving of leaders. He is the principal writer of the daily devotional, Life for Leaders, and t...
Comments (1)
I love that Jesus’ first statement is “repent and believe.” Abram believed and it was accounted to him as righteousness! But James points out that even the demons believe and shudder. Hence, we must repent; the demons won’t. So why was Abram’s belief enough, when he never repented? Because as you say in your closing prayer, every time sin took ahold of Abram, he turned away and turned toward God. He’d lie about Sarai, but then build an altar. Then later again when her name was Sarah. He disobeyed God by having a son with Hagar… but then obeyed and circumcised his household. He always turned back towards the Lord. And so, when he believed God’s promise of an heir, it was accounted to Him as righteousness. I always love seeing these OT principles in Jesus’ words.
Thank you for your faithfulness in these devotions.