Repentance Part 2

I didn't think it could get any colder. . . yikes! I'm glad I took Rocky out BEFORE I actually knew what the temperature was. Mind over matter, right?

Here's yesterday's question and answer:
Thurs, Jan. 15 Which cities does Jesus denounce? (Matt 11)
(It's kind of a trick question--Jesus mentions a lot of cities, but he only condemns 3 of them.)
Matthew 11:20-24 20 Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21 "Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you."

Here's today's question of the day:
Fri, Jan. 16 What was Jacob’s name changed to? What does it mean? (Gen 32)


And here's the reflection of the day:
Repentance Part 2
Genesis 33 seems to pick up just where the Matthew 11 left off talking about repentance. By now you've read the whole Jacob and Esau story and you know that, though Esau has a bad rap, it's actually JACOB who's the trickster. He's the liar and the cheater, and yet the story follows him, not Esau.

At this point in the story, Jacob feels the need for reconciliation with his twin. Perhaps the guilt of his wrongs wore him down. Perhaps he hoped that enough time had passed that Esau's anger would have passed. Whatever the reason, Jacob feels now is the time to reconcile with his brother. As he begins his approach to Esau's land, his messengers return telling him that Esau and 400 men were coming to meet them. Jacob begins to panic, thinking Esau was still holding a grudge and is now coming for his revenge.

In his heart, Jacob seemed prepared to repent but it looks like his repentance was more out of fear than perhaps even regret. This is not the kind of repentance God is looking for. Repentance out of fear of retribution from God is useless. Repentance should not be fueled by fear.

Repentance is born out of gratitude for the grace of God which is given to use freely. Our repentance is offered to God out of our thankfulness for the forgiveness of our sin and NOT out of fear that if we don't God will punish us. At Bible Study on Wednesday we talked about how faith should be motivated by gratitude and not fear of God. This part of the Jacob and Esau story is a good reminder to consider the motivations of our faith and repentance. Do we believe out of fear of what God might do if we don't believe or out of gratitude for what God did for us on the cross? Is our repentance motivated by fear or faith?

Just a little something for us all to ponder today. . .
Allison