People change their minds all of the time. They head toward one restaurant with a meal in mind, see another restaurant, and change their mind to eat something else. They seek to get work done one way, weigh factors, and then take another approach in order to best achieve their goals. Children begin watching a cartoon on tv and then change their minds to abandon said show to play with toys instead. Changing minds happens all of the time.
In the time of Jesus, the Greeks had an understanding of changing one’s mind. The action came in the idea of repentance. Repentance, according to the Greek writings of the time, applied to any changed mind. Meaning, the act of changing one’s mind from a bad purpose to a good one or changing one’s mind from a good purpose to a bad one both qualified as a repentance. Repentance in the context of Greek thinking did not connect itself to morality or proximity to God.
In Matthew 3, we see John the Baptist hurl an imperative call to “repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” This call, unlike the Greek understanding of repentance, implied a change in mind that came as a change in life. He challenged the hearer to completely change the way of their life from evil to a new kind of living that touched every facet of their lives. The call of John the Baptist implored the hearer to a deeper level of transformation.*
This sounds good, and perhaps it inspires, but the core of our flesh, when challenged, may rebel with this simple question: why should I?
John explains that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. He explains that a new rule and reign has come. Furthermore, John does not withhold the insignificance of his own role in the greater God-story. John explains that though this repentance that he asks may appear radical (and to the Greeks and to us it was and is), the real power and purification will come through the work of Jesus Christ.
From John’s words, a change of life (repentance) serves as a key component to the fantastic work of Jesus in our lives. This choice to changing the whole of one’s life opens the door to the work of Jesus to bring the Holy Spirit and fire.
Said plainly, we need to step into the repentance that John describes so that we can step into the work of Jesus to empower and purify our lives. This work looks like purpose. This work looks like power. This work looks like relationship with God.
Today, take just one step.
Maybe today the Holy Spirit is inviting you to repent. This repentance does not come as a simple decision to think differently, but it comes as an invitation to change the whole of your life. Maybe today the confession that you need repentance is a step of humility that God wants for you. Maybe you changed your mind about God at one point, thinking that He was not real, and now you think He is real. This repentance changed your mind, but have you invited God to change your life? Maybe you need to make this transformation known through the act of water baptism.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus. Take a step today… just one is fine.
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*Insights on John the Baptist: Morris, Leon. The Gospel According to Matthew. Pillar New Testament Commentary. Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1992.