Repent

The message that Jesus preached began with this word, "repent". Our English word "repent" carries the implication of feeling sorrow or regret for what one has done. But the word in the Greek text carries a different meaning. The word is "metanoeo", which means to change the mind. Our word "repent" does not imply a change of thinking. But the message of Jesus began with a call to make a change in thinking.

The paradigm for the Jews was the kingdom of David. It is the example of all that they hoped for. David ruled as king over the earthly kingdom of Israel; Israel subdued the nations around it. All of their thinking was based on their paradigm: the Messiah would restore the earthly kingdom.

Their assumptions kept them from understanding what Jesus taught; they needed first a change in thinking. They needed a completely different understanding of the world.

Their worldview had them in the center. They were the descendants of Abraham; they were the heirs of the covenant of blessing. This was the foundation of their worldview. One of their rabbis had taught that it is better in the eyes of God to be a evil Jew than a righteous Gentile.

But John the Baptist had told the religious leaders who came to him:

"...do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father'; for I say to you, that God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham." Matthew 3:9

Their thinking was based on their birth, not on their actions. John the Baptist implied that a statue of stone might look also look like a descendant of Abraham, but it does nothing either. Actions are required.

"And the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." Matthew 3:10

All of the people went out to John to hear this wild man; they all were baptized in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins. They were Jews; they had a religion already. But they listened to a man from the wilderness who told them to make ready for the kingdom of God.

John the Baptist preached a new thought: "what you do really is significant to God". This is what is inherent in repentance. This is the beginning of the message of Jesus.