Matthew
3:1-12, Isaiah 11:1-10
Here’s my question: What was it that got
the people of Jerusalem and all of Judea to leave the comfort of their homes
and go out into the wilderness to hear John the Baptist preach a message of
repentance? I mean, who here would flock to the downtown mall if we heard there
was a preacher shouting, “Repent!” No one, that’s who. We’d all head in the
opposite direction.
That’s probably because the word “repent”
to our ears carries so baggage - weighed down with things like regret, guilt,
and shame. All the things we’d, understandably, rather avoid. Add to that the
element of threat that is usually included, something along the lines of
“Repent or else you’ll burn in the fires of hell!” And no wonder we turn a deaf
ear. But back in the day, in John the Baptist’s day, “Repent!” didn’t sound
like that. As you may know, the original Greek word for repentance, “metanoia,”
didn’t have all the negative connotations that we hear today. The call to
metanoia, repentance, was literally and simply a call to change one’s mind.
And if that’s the case, if that’s what
John the Baptist is really proclaiming, “Repent, change your mind, for the
kingdom of heaven has come near,” then the message of repentance is less about
wrongdoing and condemnation and more about healing and transformation. Because
it all begins with the kingdom of heaven. The kingdom which has already come
near. Far too often we are led to believe that our good behavior will somehow
be the catalyst that ushers in God’s kingdom. But according to John, it’s the exact
opposite. Repentance is not what makes the kingdom come. Repentance how we
respond to that coming - by changing our minds, our hearts, the direction of
our lives and turn towards the kingdom of heaven that is already in our midst.
Think of it this way. Imagine you are
standing in a circle of people. In the center of the circle, there is a source
of light which we know to be God. But rather than facing the center and the
light, you are standing with your back to the light, facing outward. When you stand
this way, facing away from the light, what you see is primarily cast in
shadows. You don’t see the light. And not only that, you don’t see all the
others who are with you in the circle. From your point of view, you are
disconnected. Alone in the dark. Now imagine that even though you are turned
around you sense a warmth on your back. It’s the light. You turn to face the
light and when you turn toward the light, you no longer see only darkness. When
you turn toward the light, your shadow is behind you. When you turn toward the
light, you can now see the other people who are standing there with you. You
can see that the light is shining on you along with everyone else connecting
everyone in radiance and love. Changing your mind, making the decision to turn
away from the shadows and instead to face the light: this is metanoia. This is
repentance.
So what does that look like in real life?
Well, how many of you, like me, sometimes get into bed at night, look back on
the day, and hear words that you wish you hadn’t said? See actions that you
wish you hadn’t taken? Made choices that you already regret? You’re sorry now
and recognize that that’s not who you want to be. That that’s not who you are
created and called to be. That’s repentance. The changing of your mind. The
turning toward the light of God. Opening yourself up to inner healing and
transformation that, with God’s help, spurs you and all of us onto change of
behavior. To ask for forgiveness, to make amends, and to refrain from doing it
again.
That’s the most traditional way of
understanding repentance. But if repentance is more than just addressing
outward behaviors, if it really has to do with a change of mind, a turning
toward God then there is much more to it. For when we change and turn, we are becoming
more fully who we are created to be. So that means that repentance also happens
when we are living from our most authentic selves, when we are open and true
with ourselves and others. Which can occur anytime doing most anything -
enjoying time with friends, watching the beauty of a sunset, listening to
exquisite music, working on a project. Any time we experience being in that
flow, allowing God’s spirit to move freely in us and through us we are
repenting.
And as we let the Spirit flow through us,
repentance rightly moves from being just an individual, private matter to a
communal, public practice. For repentance involves not just changing our own
individual minds but working to change our society’s mind so that we, as God’s
people, turn away from practices and policies that are at odds with the kingdom
of heaven. The kingdom where, as we heard in our reading from the prophet
Isaiah, suffering and violence are no more, but peace and equity reign. As we
take action to address injustices, right wrongs, honor the light that shines on
and in all peoples, we engage in the process of repentance.
And I use that word “process”
intentionally because repenting is not a one-time event. It’s an ongoing
spiritual practice. An invitation to a way of life. A way of life that is
always turning toward what is more real, more true, more honest, more rooted in
the light and love of God. That’s why, I believe, all those people left the
comfort of their homes and headed out to the wilderness. And that’s why, I
believe, that we have come here today - because deep down we know that we need
to hear John’s message. A message of repentance that is actually good news.
Repent, change your mind, turn toward God - and behold the kingdom of heaven
that is already near!
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