Repentance in Luke 13
Let us first start with Luke chapter 13. Jesus is being questioned why some Galileans who were going to make a sacrifice and Pilate’s men came in and slaughtered them. They were slaughtered while they were making the sacrifice. The questions were being asked to Jesus, “How could people be killed in a blood bath when they were doing something right”?
Luke 13:1-3: “There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” This had to be a complex statement to hear from Jesus.
but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Luke 13:5
The crowd then asks, “how about the 18 people on whom the tower fell?” These people were not worshiping God, they were walking, and the tower fell and killed them. Jesus responds with a question and answer. Verse 4-5: “Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Jesus calls for repentance in both instances.
John the Baptist Ministry
In Matthew chapter three, we are first introduced to the first evangelist, John the Baptist. John is preaching in the wilderness in Judea. Matthew quotes John in chapter 3 verses 1-2, “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew describes further how those John is preaching to respond in verse 6, “And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.” This preaching and act of baptism was not popular among the religious leaders of the time, and for that, John calls them out. In verses 7-8, Matthew writes, “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth, therefore, fruits meet for repentance.”
As we can see from this example, it was not just the simple act of jumping in the water and being baptized. John is calling those who are going to follow Christ to repent of the sins they have. One might conclude from this that a critical element for salvation would be a repentant heart. Think of it this way. If someone does not repent of their sins, why would they need a savior?
Jesus Preaches Repentance
John the Baptist is not the only one who is preaching the idea of repentance. Chapter 4:17 states, “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Jesus now also is calling a perverse and wicked generation to repent. To many of the listeners of this podcast, this would be definitive proof of the need for repentance. However, our mission is to take a deeper dive into God’s word so let us continue.
Jesus spells out what his mission was here on this Earth. Many examples of this exist biblically. However, repentance is an essential characteristic. Let us look at what he said. Matthew 9:12-13 “But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
Matthew 9:13
Jesus’ words may sound like a confusing statement. The Bible is clear that there is none righteous, no, not one. For Jesus to even think about joining forces with a group of righteous people would not be possible when we consider this Biblical statement. The call for sinners to repent is the critical element here. Jesus came to call the “sin-sick” to be treated for their disease and healed. The medicine that we are to attack this sickness with begins with a strong shot of repentance.
The book of Mark also gives us a glimpse of the story between John and Jesus. Mark 1:14-15 states: “Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” The mantle of the call to repentance is now being passed to the true torchbearer Jesus Christ. The call is clear the message of repentance is given to sinners.
The Disciples Preach to Repent
The call for repentance is going to be passed from Jesus to the disciples. Those now working in this ministry give us an example in Mark 6:12, “And they went out, and preached that men should repent.” The concept is that if we call ourselves Christian and follow Jesus as savior, it requires us to have a repentant heart. Anyone who says they have no sins to repent of would be like the Pharisees of Jesus’ day.
Knowing the ministry of Jesus, the disciples, and John the Baptist, we can see clearly that repentance is essential for Christians. Let us say that some think, “I am still not convinced.” Luke chapter 15 will guide us towards how our Heavenly Father and heaven feel about a repentant sinner.
Heaven Celebrates a Sinner’s Repentance
Luke 15:1-7: Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.” Notice that sinners are near. They are about to hear the Gospel directly from Jesus’ teachings. “And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.” Let me pause here and say, welcome to modern-day “Christians.” They love to accuse and not repent. Let us continue.
“And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.”
We can see that the one sheep found is worth rejoicing. My friends, we are the one sheep to which Jesus is speaking. In this world, without Christ, we are lost and alone. Jesus continues, “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”
Heaven celebrates when a sinner repents. Who are sinners? We are! The Bible is clear that we are all fallen short of the glory of God. Repentance does not stop when we accept Christ but becomes part of our necessary exercise in the faith. Let me leave you with a quote from Paul. 1 Corinthians 15:31: “I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.”
Please be sure to write a review for our podcast, join us for a new week to continue this study in God’s word, and may God richly bless you in the love of Jesus Christ.
More episodes from 7 Ironclad Christian Characteristics
- Reverent: 7 Ironclad Christian Characteristics | Episode 26
- Strength: 7 Ironclad Christian Characteristics | Episode 25
- Servant: 7 Ironclad Christian Characteristics | Episode 24
- Repentance: 7 Ironclad Christian Characteristics | Episode 23
- Love: 7 Ironclad Christian Characteristics | Episode 22
