We tend to think that repentance is intended for hardened sinners, not good Christians like us. But when Jesus began preaching this message, He was speaking to God’s people. In Scripture, the first words of repentance are always aimed at getting God’s people back where they need to be.
The Israelites had waited for centuries for the promised Messiah who would come and deliver them from their oppression. Numerous generations had come and gone while waiting for God to intervene in their world. Now, at last, the time had come. But when God came, in His Son, His people were unprepared. They needed to repent. Repentance involves stopping the direction we have been going in our life, and changing and going another way. It calls for a radical alteration, not merely a good intention.
When God is at work right next to us, it is critical that we make whatever adjustments are necessary to become involved in what He is doing. The disciples could not stay in their fishing boats and go with Jesus. Matthew could not remain at his customs table and be on mission with the Messiah. They had to make major adjustments. What changes is heaven calling for you to make so you can be right in the center of the advance of God’s kingdom, today?