We really should repent!

Reflecting on Mark 6:7-12

“They went out and preached that people should repent.” (Mark 6:12)
As a Jesus follower, repentance is a part of the journey of faith.
But do I go around telling people to repent, like the disciples did?
The answer is both no and yes.

The word ‘repent’ is a translation of a compound Greek word metanoia.
It literally means ‘to think’ (noia) ‘after’ or ‘beyond’ (meta).
It is a call to ponder, consider or reconsider one’s thinking.
When I talk with people I am constantly challenging them to rethink.
And I am also constantly rethinking or reconsider myself.
It is like the Hebrew phrase “give careful thought to your ways” (Haggai 1:5,7)
Depending on the context, and the speaker, it can be a strong warning.
But it can also be an invitation or opportunity to discover something.
It can be a warning, but it is not always a warning.

For us the word only has the warning emphasis.
We imagine evangelists or street-corner preachers calling for repentance.
When I talk with people I am not constantly warning them.
And neither were the disciples then.
Their message, like Jesus, was the good news of the kingdom (Mark 1:14-15).
They came with healing and words of peace (Matthew 10:1-13).
Think about this good news, and consider what it means to you!

To repent is not just to say sorry, or admit that you are a sinner.
It involves considering your life in light of the good news message of Jesus.
When I reflect on the life Jesus lived, and freely offered, I am compelled.
I look at my current experience of life, and I sense its inadequacy.
There are no doubt ways I am currently living that are less than helpful.
Jesus invites us to something more, something better!

One thing we need to repent of is negative ideas about repentance.
We need to rethink the word, and welcome it as an invitation.
And we need to repent of the negative way we communicate the invitation.
We need to communicate it in a way that others are compelled.
Our appeal to reconsider is accompanied by deeds that back it up.
Our words of good news should be supported by good deeds.
The goodness of God and Jesus becomes the reason to reconsider/repent!
It leads people to feel and say, ‘I want that!’

My main message is for people to rethink or think again about Jesus.
Jesus is good news, not a warning, not a judgment, not a threat.
And in some contexts, there is a gentle warning too.
To hear Jesus saying, ‘stop using me and my Name as a hammer!’
‘Stop using my message to threaten, control or condemn others!’
‘Stop using my message of hope to lead people to fear and despair!’
We need to repent of our thinking about Jesus and the good news.

"Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways." (Proverbs 4:26)

Repentance is an open and constant invitation, a way of life.
We never reach a point where we need to stop repenting.
Like students, we are constantly considering and assessing our ways.
This is how we learn, this is how we grow.
And like students, our motivation should be positive, not negative.
Standing over a student threatening failure or expulsion is not healthy or helpful.
Following Jesus is a journey of discovery, not an escape route from hell.
In God’s good news kingdom there is still so much to learn, so much to grow into.
So much more, so much better!

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, Your life and Your goodness compel me to rethink my own life. Your kingdom invitation compells me, I want that!

May my witness to You reflect both my own eagerness to grow in Your goodness, and also a positive invitation to others to rethink and renew their minds and their lives. Use my witness to You to make others thirsty for Your goodness!