Repentance sits at the heart of our Lenten journey. It is perhaps the central theme of this season, as we seek to be cleansed and restored in preparation for our commemoration of Christ’s Passion. In countless Ash Wednesday services across the globe last week, the invitation to repent was given as we were reminded that we are “dead to sin and alive in Christ.” (Romans 6:11)
Following his temptation, the ministry of Jesus begins with a call to repent (Mark 1:15). The ministry of the disciples begins in a similar way, for when Peter is asked by the crowd on the day of Pentecost what they must do to be saved, he replies, “Repent and be baptized.” (Acts 2:38) The message of repentance is clearly foundational to the gospel. To follow Jesus fully, we must turn from sin and embrace the life he offers.
But far too often these days the call to repentance is presented as if it were an insistence on moral reform and behavior modification, so it’s no wonder it falls so often on deaf ears. The message so many hear from today’s church is that they are doing wrong things and if they would just stop doing them, then God would love them. What they receive is a message of shame, and what they do is simply walk away.
That is not biblical repentance. Biblical repentance is rooted in the love and mercy of God. It is not founded on our ability to change ourselves, it is founded on the supernatural ability of God to effect change in us by his Spirit. What it asks of us is surrender, not to a wrathful God who will punish us if we don’t, but to a merciful God who stands ready to transform us into the people he desires us to be. As we’re reminded in Lamentations:
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.”—Lamentations 3:22-23 (NRSV)
His love never ceases. His mercies never end. These truths frame every step of our Lenten journey.
You give me a heart that’s clean
Your pardon releases me to sing.
Read the rest of the lyrics here.
Questions for Reflection
1) Does the message of repentance point to the love of God for you? If not, what voices might be keeping you from seeing it in that way? Spend some time in prayer asking God to expand your understanding of repentance to see it as a response to his love and mercy.
2) Today’s song is based on the ancient prayer called the “Kyrie Eleison” The simple repeated phrase, “Lord Have Mercy” is a humble plea for grace, compassion, and forgiveness. Spend some time reflecting on those words and letting them provide space to pour out your heart to Jesus.
3) Read and reflect on this verse. Let it lead you into prayerful worship and gratitude:
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
—Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)