With the Thoughts I'd be Thinkin' ...

S - Mark 1:4, 14-15 (NAS): "John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. … Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."

O - Scriptural accounts of Jesus' life present John and Jesus both engaging a call to repent.  The question is: Are they saying the exact same thing? Are these really identical "calls to action"?  Is it just the same thing said a different way with the same meaning or is there a reason the words surrounding the action of repentance are not identical?  I used to think they were basically the same call but I no longer believe this.  John's function (according to Scripture) was so that Jesus might be revealed.  Jesus' function was to reveal the Father and His Kingdom.  Sin is certainly an issue to be addressed and this Jesus does completely and eternally.  But repentance (literally a change or transformation in how one thinks) is required for all of our existence not just the "sin" part. The thinking of Jesus is pretty much completely different … and he calls his followers to join him in this thinking, living, speaking, loving and believing.  Believing isn't not about gaining amnesty from sins but being adopted into the family of Jesus and learning to live in that family forever … it's a completely different household with different rules, protocols and dynamics.  Culture tries to make heaven like earth only "improved."  Jesus came to make earth and earthlings like heaven … not merely improved but transformed to be like him, his Father and the Kingdom which can never end.  Today, and every day, is a great day to embrace repentance … the transformation of our lives.

A - Today, I choose to repent … to believe the gospel which is a person (Jesus is the message not just a message bringer) and to ask for transformation; i.e. for help not for self-help.  Self-help is where I keep my focus on my sins and try to do better. Help is where the focus is on Jesus and he transforms me in my thinking, living, loving and being.  Like his call to the very first followers, we are called to believing and he accepts the responsibility to do the changing/making (e.g. Mark 1:17: "And Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.").

P - Lord Jesus,

I want to follow … knowing full well I need to follow.  I am repenting and will continue to do so as I do the following and believing and you do the changing and transforming.  Thank you for wanting us to come near and stay near … for not offering amnesty but insisting on adoption.  Thank you for wanting into all of our being and wanting us into all of yours. I love you back!

Steve