David Bahn – Reflections

Acts 3:17-26

“And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. ¹⁸ But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. ¹⁹ Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, ²⁰ that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, ²¹ whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. ²² Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. ²³ And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ ²⁴ And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. ²⁵ You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ ²⁶ God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”

“When our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, said “Repent”, He called for the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.” This is the first of Martin Luther’s 95 theses which he posted on the castle church door in Wittenberg, Germany nearly 500 years ago. Jesus’ first message recorded in Mark’s gospel is, “The time has come, the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:14-16). Peter’s message to the people in the temple is the same: “Repent,…” but with a compelling promise: not only would their sins be blotted out, but also “times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord…” (v.19-20).

Such a clear and consistent message forms the foundation for the Christian life. But the call for repentance – while consistent and lifelong – takes on ever new and nuanced meaning as we grow and mature in our Christian faith. The people of Peter’s day had to come to grips with their need for repentance, forgiveness and refreshment – even as religious and pious as they were. They had factored the Son of God out of their lives, but he is the source of refreshing grace and liberating truth. Jesus’ message had to do with recognizing the reign of God in daily life and the Good News of his presence and power in the world. Luther faced a church which had replaced true religion with formalistic religious ritual.

Our challenge today is to turn away from the rat race, to close our eyes to the glitz, glamor, and glare of affluence and worldly pleasures, and to find true refreshment in the presence of Jesus in all of life. Jesus has been known to turn people’s lives upside down. His message is challenging and radical: “Love your enemy. Do good to those who persecute you. Take up your cross and follow me.” But his words to the humble are refreshing: “I am the good shepherd, and I lay down my life for the sheep. Come to me all you who labor…and I will give you rest. Whoever believes in me will have eternal life.” 

Repentance is an attitude of the heart of humility before God and in the presence of others. It puts us in the position of being refreshed by Jesus’ presence and promises. But to experience that fully we must be willing to embrace our utter and desperate need for such refreshment. Most days I am only vaguely aware of that need. Thanks be to God when he calls me to repent and believe the gospel, refreshing me in his presence! How about you?