Repent?
March 9
Welcome to the Gospel of Mark. Over the last ten weeks, we’ve looked at the Gospels of John and the Matthew. Each had its own “feel,” concentrating on different things. While John was more theological in nature, looking at the person and work of Jesus, Matthew focused more on Jesus’ parables and the Kingdom of heaven.
John began His Gospel with the cosmic aspects of Jesus as being a part of creating the universe. Matthew began with the birth narrative of Jesus; Luke will begin with the birth narrative, too. Mark introduces John the Baptizer, however, and then catapults us forward, straight into Jesus’ ministry of delivering people from demons and infirmities.
Mark will feel very different. It may even feel fast. In fact, we’ll encounter the word immediately a lot in this book—four times in the first chapter alone. Tradition says that Matthew and Luke wrote their Gospels with an eye on Mark’s Gospel. Tradition also says that Mark wrote his Gospel as Peter told him about Jesus and His ministry. Look back at yesterday and ask yourself if Peter may have discipled Mark.
One thing that jumps out in Mark 1 is the message preached by both John the Baptizer and Jesus. Both call their hearers to do something, and their hearers immediately respond. John proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Lots of people from all around responded to John’s invitation, coming to him for baptism and confessing their sins. (Mark 1:4–5) Jesus announced the advance of God’s Kingdom and called His hearers to repent and believe. (Mark 1:15)
Repent.
Now, that’s not a word we hear every day! Tragically, it’s not even a word that we hear in most churches in a year! So, what is repentance, and why is it so rarely mentioned?
The word repent means to change your mind. There are two Greek words that mean to change your mind. The first is similar to ordering chicken primavera and then telling the waiter, “No, give me the baked fish instead.” You simply change your mind.
The other Greek word for repent is similar to ordering chicken, telling the waiter no, and then walking out the door to go to the vegan restaurant across town, never to eat meat products again. This word is not just changing your order from chicken to fish, or even a chicken salad. This is changing your mind to never eat meat products again. This mind change is a permanent life change, and this is the Greek word used by both John and Jesus in their preaching to the masses.
John and Jesus didn’t just invite hearers to pray a prayer and fill out a decision card. They called their hearers to a transformed life.
So, why is repent so rarely used in churches today? It used to be common vocabulary for preachers across the country, heard multiple times in churches every weekend. Now, it’s fallen out of style as churches have changed their approach and messaging.
In an effort to appeal to the masses and be less offensive to prospective attendees, many churches skip (or minimize) the concept of repenting from sin and coming to Jesus for justification. Instead, many churches have turned to “feel good” sermons that talk about how to God wants to bless you in material ways or five ways to be a better person.
Application
Every week, many people flock to churches and Christian TV programs to hear messages about how to live their best life now, with no mention of their dire need for repentance and forgiveness from the Holy God—no mention of sin, no mention of a coming judgment on man’s sinful condition and sinful life choices.
John the Baptizer and Jesus didn’t approach their ministries this way. They knew eternity was/is at stake. Eternity is a long time, but it doesn’t just begin when we cross over to glory. Eternal life begins on this side of glory.
Eternal life is all about knowing and being known. (John 17:3; Matthew 7:21–23) Do you have a personal, growing relationship with God? Do you know Him better and love Him more now than in the past? Are you making yourself more vulnerable to be exposed before His holiness in order to become more like Jesus?
Don’t settle for shallow churches that settle for shallow faith here and now. Don’t settle for churches that only talk about life on the other side of glory. Jesus offers so much more! He offers Himself, and He offers a transformed life.
© Copyright 2026 Craig Beaman