LUKE: THE GOSPEL OF REPENTANCE

Yesterday, I wrote about the "two-sided coin" we call "salvation."  In Luke 24:47, Jesus told His disciples to preach two things:  repentance and remission.  Perhaps that is why Jesus sent them to preach the Gospel in two's (Lk. 10:1); one would play the "bad cop," and the other would be the "good cop."  The first would inform the lost about their guilt and its consequences, and the other would offer them the hope of salvation found through faith in Jesus Christ (Rom. 10:9-10; Eph. 2:8).

It is clear from Scripture that Jesus' mission was to save souls.  Early in His ministry, He declared, "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" (Lk. 5:32).  When His disciples suggested that fire be called down from heaven on those who challenged Jesus, He replied, "For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them" (Lk. 9:56).

Later, when questioned about some who were killed by Rome, Jesus told them that they were no more righteous than those who were slain.  He said, "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Lk. 13:3).

In His parable of the lost sheep, He contrasted being lost with being repentant:  He said, "I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance" (Lk. 15:7).

He told those who criticized Him for going to Zacchaeus' house:  "This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.  For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Lk. 19:9-10).

Just a side note:  Luke, who was also the author of the Book of Acts, continued his focus upon the lost needing to repent.  He called on Israel to repent (Acts 5:31; 13:24; 19:4), and for the Gentiles as well (Acts. 11:18; 20:21).

Repentance occurs when one hears the Gospel, and believing it, turns from going his own way, to following Jesus.  It is like when the "light bulb" comes on:  you see, for the first time, not only where you are headed, but you also see the Lord beckoning you to follow Him.  It is the greatest "Gestalt Switch" of all.  You no longer see Jesus as a historical figure; you see Him as your Savior, your Lord!  It is like the picture of the frog which "miraculously" turns into a horse's head, or the picture of the old witch that suddenly changes into the picture of a beautiful young woman!  Once you see Jesus as your Savior and Lord, you will never see Him any other way.

"Why seek ye the living among the dead?

He is not here, He is risen!"