February 6 Repent

 Matthew 4:12-25  



The Sea of Galilee

“Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”  Jesus began His ministry in Galilee with this proclamation.  He walked along the Sea of Galilee and call to the fishermen Simon (Peter) and his brother Andrew.  “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.”  They left their nets and followed Him.  James and John, the sons of Zebedee also left their nets and their father, and followed Jesus. 

Jesus went to the synagogues in Galilee, proclaimed the gospel of the Kingdom, and healed people of every disease and sickness.  News spread and people came with diseases, pain, demons, epilepsy and paralysis.  He healed them.  Great multitudes followed Him.

Our tour guide and Bible teacher in Israel gave us insight into Jesus’ message, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. Literally, it is in your hand. Jesus wanted people to liberate themselves, to repent from their sins.  He was disappointed that people didn’t take the responsibility.  It is people’s responsibility.”

Ruins of the Synogogue at Capernaum

In the Old Testament people could not get near God or they would die because of their sinful nature. The blood of Jesus cleanse us---so that we can come near God.  God created us so that He can have an object for His love.  God is love. 

In the synagogues Jesus taught as Pharisees.  He used text to help them understand God. This opens the way of wisdom and knowledge. Who taught the Rabbis? Yahweh. People learned from the Rabbis, discovered knowledge for themselves from the Torah or from God through the prophets. In Jesus we have all three. God, prophet and priest.

Jesus is calling us even today to “Repent” on a daily basis…take every thought captive.  The blood of Jesus does “wash us”, but we have to acknowledge our sins and His forgiveness.  As you feast on this “spiritual” food for today, will you allow God to give you insights into your thoughts, motives, and your own responsibility to respond to Jesus, to follow Him as the first disciples and the great multitude did?

Lord, I agree with you that I have made mistakes, sinned. I take responsibility for my sins and ask you to please forgive me. Thank you for taking away my sins and help me to live each moment of today in a way that pleases you.