The GIFT of Repentance

Last evening I was reading Ekklesia by Ed Silvosa, working back through the book again, taking my time and allowing me time to really think and reflect.  It is one of the most significant books I have read in my pursuit of the Lord, and His purposes and plans for the Church.  Anyway, he mentioned something from Acts 5, and I decided to turn there and spend some time reading that chapter.  A couple of verses really caught my eye, and I wanted to further reflect on them this morning, here are the verses - Acts 5:27-32 NIV:

[27] "The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. [28] “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood.” 

[29] Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! [30] The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead---whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. [31] God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. [32] We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

My printed version of the NIV says verse 31 a bit differently, and that wording was what caught my eye.  Here is how the 1984 version has it: "God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel."

I guess the idea that Jesus gave Israel the gift of repentance is what grabed my attention.  Normally, I think of repentance as a response to something, and although it should be a positive thing, we often see it as a sorrowful experience, which can color it dark.  I did a bit of research into the original language, and the verb used is the Greek word didomi - here is how Strong's discusses its usage: 

"The Greek verb "δίδωμι" (didómi) is a fundamental term in the New Testament, conveying the act of giving or granting something to someone. It encompasses a wide range of meanings, including the giving of gifts, the granting of authority, the bestowal of blessings, and the offering of oneself. This verb is often used to describe God's generous and gracious giving to humanity, as well as the call for believers to give to others."

I really like this image of Jesus giving Israel  (and us) the gift of repentance.  This helps me lift my thinking to a different level, where I can see a bit more of how God's plan was being revealed.  These events followed Pentecost very closely and the people of Israel, and Jerusalem were all spun up by those events.  Here we see Jesus allowing the very people who killed Him, to change their minds and see Him as the Messiah!  He wasn't using His resurrection and ascension to rain down destruction and punishment, instead Jesus is releasing the gifts of repentance and forgiveness!  Wow!

I am reminded of a few verses from the letter to the Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV:

[1] "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, [2] fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

I am seeing the gifts of repentance and forgiveness as a couple of components of the "joy set before" Jesus.  

When I am giving a gift I am probably as excited, if not more so, than the person to whom I am giving the gift.  Gift giving is an act of love (at least in my understanding) and there is a revelation of the character of the giver, and the nature of their love in the gift.

This morning I am captivated by the this example of the love of Jesus!  He wanted Israel, the very people who killed Him, to receive the gift of repentance and forgiveness of their sins!  He wanted to invite them into His Kingdom, to be a part of His family, to be co-heirs with Him, to be united in relationship eternally.  He was extending the same gift to them all, Pharisees, Sadducees, Sanhedrin, High Priest, and the like. 

He extends the same gift to us, no matter our sins or our past!  He wants us to receive this incredible gift!

Thank You Jesus for all the gifts that You bring, including repentance and the forgiveness of our sins!

Amen and Amen!

Pressing Forward

I have been spending the last few days, the first of the new year, reflecting on the past year, my life in general and trying to get an idea of what 2025 will entail. The new year is often a time of such reflection, a bit of introspection for many and this morning my heart was reminded of some of my favorite verses from Paul.

Philippians 3:7-14 NIV:

[7] "But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. [8] What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ [9] and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ---the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. [10] I want to know Christ---yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, [11] and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead." 

[12] "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. [13] Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

There is nothing I can change about the last year.  However, this whole coming year and my whole future lies open before me, and I can choose to live differently than I did last year!  I can forget was is in the past and press forward into deeper relationship with the Lord, making the most of every opportunity, and engaging in all that the Lord directs, that I might fulfill all His purpose for me.

I am reminded of one last verse, written to Timothy - 2 Tim 4:5: "But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry."

I might not be an evangelist, or have a "ministry" but I am here for a purpose, and I haven't been as engaged as I should have been.  So, forgetting what is behind me, I press forward into that which I am called to do!  

Help me Lord!  Strengthen me Lord!  Help me to keep my head in all situations!

Amen!