Simplicity of the gospel (Mark 1:15 NKJV)
The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe the gospel!
What does repent mean?
Repent: μετανοησατε (*metanoesate*), the original Greek word translated “repent,” means to “change one’s mind, attitude and purpose,” and carries in its root the sense of pain, so repenting from sins doesn’t simply mean an academic change of mind, but a heartfelt transformation of one’s mind, attitude and purpose away from sins, which if genuine, will lead to the transformation of one’s actions away from sins.
Repentance. Bible Verse Study. (2022). Retrieved October 28, 2022, from https://www.bibleversestudy.com/acts/acts2-repent-meaning.htm
My personal understanding is that repentance is not just turning away from willful sinning, it means to cease disobeying God, and to trust and believe in Him.
Some people want to start at the top skipping all that is needed to be understood so they can climb the ladder to the top. In the following passages there is a message that needs to pulled out and brought to understanding for our own walk with Christ. I cannot remember ever hearing anyone teach on these verses, but I am certain that somewhere I haven’t visited, or listened to on youtube or radio that someone has taught about these particular verses. It does not matter if these verses were not taught in a way that people can appreciate; you know, without bluster, or some sort of behavior modification implication. However, it is necessary to grasp the dynamics in the dialogue between Jesus and the apostles, and what it also implies for each of us today. The good news is simple and direct, repent and be freed from the bondage of sin and separation from God. Even when walking beside the Lord of glory as the apostles did, and wish to be with Him forever seated beside Him in glory we need to be careful of the desires of the heart and what those desires represent before asking the Lord to fulfill our request.
The Request of James and John:
(Mark 10:35-40 NKJV)
Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.” And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to Him, “We are able.” Jesus said to them: “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.”
With James and John’s request there is a bit of self-importance and even a little bit of arrogance. Jesus’ response is interesting: Jesus did not look down on the two, or in the modern vernacular give them the harry eyeball, He wasn’t offended, or surprised, He simply asked what He could do for them. Their request is over the top, and the other apostles got a bit agitated with their hubris. Jesus asked a question, and those two bone heads didn’t even stop to consider what they were asking for and what it would cost them. Quoting form Aesop’s Fables (circa 260 BC)—be careful what you wish for, and in this case, be careful what you ask the Lord of glory for. Jesus could honor the part of James and John sitting on either side of Jesus in glory, but since they asked to do so, they were now going to go through something very painful as Jesus point out. From this point the discussion moves to the other apostles because they were a bit upset with James and John.
(Mark 10:41-45 NKJV)
And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great one’s exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
The focus now shifts to the remaining apostles. As the verse states the others were displeased so the Lord called them to have a chat. What Jesus says here has a lot of reach and implication because He tells the apostles how the gentiles are, and that they are not to have that attitude among them. Why you ask? Because those who follow the Lord are not to be their betters and exercise authority over others just to appear powerful and great. Jesus further tells the apostles that their lives are one of service to others just as Jesus served others. Then Jesus says something that is very interesting, He said that he was giving his life as a ransom for many, not all, just many. If I was to extrapolate further, I would conclude that through the discussion with the apostles the very last statement that Jesus made is the most important and telling because that is the cup and baptism that James and John will experience. James and John may not be a ransom for many, but they will give their life in the service of the Lord.
How are we to approach Jesus with our request? Should we be bold enough to say Jesus I want to sit at the head of the table with you, or I want a mansion close to you; or should we ask the Lord as servants of others to help people, to heal people, so God receives the glory and not us? How then should we pray?
Jesus tells us how we should pray, the what is up to us.
(Mark 11:20-26 NKJV)
Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.” So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”
In conclusion:
(Romans 10:8-10 NKJV)
But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Michael
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