Matthew 4:17
The introductory words of Jesus’ earthly ministry are words of change. In fact, the Greek word for “repent” literally is the Greek word for change applied to the word for mind. In other words, “repentance” is the act of changing your mind. As Jesus used it, it meant changing your entire perspective on the life you are living, doing a 180, and returning to God. It’s all about giving up life-on-my-own-terms living and shifting to life-on-God’s-terms living.
The dual theme of repentance and the kingdom of heaven is central to everything Jesus ever taught, because it addresses the deepest problem with the human heart.
Since the days of Adam and Eve, the primary expression of sin has always been living life on my terms according to my desires rather than living life on God’s terms with him at the place of preeminence. The central desire of the sinful human heart is to run its own show, but the central reality of the spiritual world is that God is sovereign. In other words, the question of Lordship, “Who’s in charge of your heart?” is the central, most important question of all.
Jesus declares that the kingdom is coming, and when it comes, God will claim full and complete lordship over all things and every person. Those people who call him Lord, will be welcomed to live in his kingdom, but those who follow the leading of their own heart will be cast out from the kingdom.
BIG IDEA FOR THE DAY: Who’s in charge of your heart today?
