The Call from Jesus to Repent and is essential for Salvation
Repentance was central to the ministry of Jesus Christ. Before Jesus began His public ministry, John the Baptist was sent to prepare the way by preaching repentance. As it is written, “In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!’” (Matthew 3:1-2, NKJV). John’s baptism of repentance called people to turn from their sins and be ready for the coming of the Messiah. Jesus Himself affirmed John’s role, saying, “For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John” (Matthew 11:13, NKJV).
From the beginning of His public ministry, Jesus also proclaimed, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matthew 4:17, NKJV). This message was not merely a call to feel regret but an urgent summons to turn away from sin and align one’s life with the will of God. Jesus made it clear that repentance is necessary for salvation when He warned, “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3, NKJV).
Sin, as defined by the moral law, is transgression of God’s eternal commandments. Jesus affirmed the unchanging nature of this law when He declared, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled” (Matthew 5:17-18, NKJV). Thus, repentance involves a recognition of where we have fallen short of God’s holy standards and a heartfelt decision to turn away from such sin.
One striking example of Jesus’ teaching on repentance is found in Luke 19:1-10. When Jesus encountered Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector and a wealthy man, Zacchaeus demonstrated true repentance. After welcoming Jesus into his home, Zacchaeus said, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold” (Luke 19:8, NKJV). Jesus responded, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:9-10, NKJV). This account illustrates that repentance leads to tangible changes in behavior and a restoration of what was wrongfully taken.
Repentance is not just an inward change but must bear visible fruit. As John the Baptist declared, “Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance” (Matthew 3:8, NKJV). True repentance manifests in actions that reflect a transformed heart.
Moreover, repentance is an ongoing process. Jesus taught His disciples to pray daily, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Matthew 6:12, NKJV). This underscores the need for continual self-examination and turning away from sin.
Jesus also warned of the consequences of unrepentance. In Matthew 11:20-24, He rebuked the cities where most of His mighty works had been done, saying, “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!” (Matthew 11:21, NKJV). This serves as a solemn reminder that ignoring the call to repent leads to judgment.
God’s patience is evident in the parable of the barren fig tree (Luke 13:6-9). The vineyard owner’s willingness to give the tree another chance to bear fruit demonstrates God’s mercy and His desire for all to come to repentance. As Jesus commanded after His resurrection, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations” (Luke 24:46-47, NKJV).
Repentance is also linked to readiness for Christ’s return. Jesus cautioned, “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass” (Luke 21:36, NKJV). A repentant life keeps us prepared for His second coming.
It is vital to understand that God sees beyond outward appearances and knows the heart. As Jesus taught, “For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known” (Luke 12:2, NKJV). Repentance cannot be superficial or merely performative; it must stem from a deep awareness of one’s sin and a sincere desire to return to God. The prophet Isaiah’s words, quoted by Jesus, underscore this point: “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me” (Matthew 15:8, NKJV).
Jesus also revealed the joy that repentance brings to heaven. He said, “I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:7, NKJV). He reinforced this truth by saying, “There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10, NKJV).
Furthermore, the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) illustrates the depth of God's mercy. When the wayward son returned home in repentance, his father ran to embrace him and celebrated his return, saying, “For this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found” (Luke 15:24, NKJV). This parable highlights God's eagerness to forgive and restore those who genuinely turn back to Him.
Jesus’ teachings on repentance call us to examine our lives in light of God’s eternal moral law and to turn away from all that separates us from Him. This turning must be genuine and heartfelt, for “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24, NKJV). Let us remember the words of Jesus: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6, NKJV).
Blessings
