Wisdom in Repentance

From then on Jesus began to preach, "Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near." One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee,

Sea of Galilee

He saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, "Come, follow Me, and I will show you how to fish for people!" And they left their nets at once and followed Him. A little farther up the shore He saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And He called them to come, too. They immediately followed Him, leaving the boat and their father behind. Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. Matthew 4:17-23

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. 

Synagogue at Capernaum

When we visited Israel 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.

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 “washes 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?

Prayer - 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. Please give me wisdom that I would walk in Your ways and honor You. 

[Adapted from February 6, 2012, Banquet With The King blog.]

© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

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