Cross: A Call to Repentance

The cross used to be an instrument for execution during the time of Romans. But ever since Jesus Christ was crucified on a cross, it became a symbol for salvation and hope. It is through the shedding of the blood of Jesus Christ that we have remission from sins. One of the messages which the cross conveys is a call to repentance, which is defined as a sincere remorse and regret for past wrongs and sins, followed by a wholehearted commitment to undo them. So, where does this call echo from?

Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him. Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:12-15

Where better to start than with Jesus himself. Soon after his baptism, Jesus was tempted by Satan for forty days and overcame. With his arrival the time was at hand, and Jesus called the people to repent. However, the message of repentance isn’t new to the people. Before Jesus, John the baptist called for the same. Besides John was the forerunner to Christ, and his purpose was to make way for Christ. But the message of repentance goes back even further.

“Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow. Isaiah 1:16,17

Multiple times in the old testament do we hear the call to repent from the Father. The fact that there were multiple calls itself tells us that the people didn’t quite listen. But some did hear the words and changed for the better. The LORD tells what he expects right away. To “put away the evil of one’s doings from His eyes”. Rather than all the wicked things conjured in our hearts, meaning not just the things which are punishable by human law, but also things such as pride, envy, lust etc., which invades one’s waking thought. All of these needs to be put aside. Rather than following them and doing evil, we should learn to do good. This way, it benefits not just us, but the entire humanity.

David cries to the LORD, with repentance and begging His acceptance, knowing that the forgiveness of the merciful Judge is most crucial.

Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. Psalm 51:1-3

Nevertheless, the kindness of our Father always gives us a way out. And like David, all we need to do is ask.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

Returning to the LORD is quite easy when we truly repent. But never forget the sternness which exists along with the kindness of the LORD.

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword”; For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. Isaiah 1:18-20

The LORD is just and fair. He calls us to make peace. He would never push away a broken and contrite heart. But He also desires truth in the inward parts. Obedience and submission will reward us with good, while refusal and rebellion will destroy us. These may sound harsh, but the standard of Holiness of the LORD is high. In fact, the people of Corinthians also felt that it was harsh. When Paul reminded them of wrongdoings, they were sorry and sorrowful. But their sorrow led to repentance. They didn’t whine and claim that they were in the right. Neither did they wallow in their sadness and not do anything to improve themselves. But they repented.

Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter. Therefore, although I wrote to you, I did not do it for the sake of him who had done the wrong, nor for the sake of him who suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear to you. 2 Corinthians 7:9-12

As Paul points out, it is their godly sorrow which produced repentance leading to salvation. So, if the LORD burdens us about some sin which is in us, and that makes us mournful, then it is good, for this sorrow of sin which distances us from the LORD, will produce true repentance in us, and thus lead to salvation which Christ offered on the cross. However, if we harden ourselves even after multiple warnings and calls to repent, then,

He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. Proverbs 29:1

May the LORD help us in our quest to be more Holy. May we remember to do good. And may we never forget to answer the call to repentance should we happen to slip, at which time let this be our prayer,

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Psalm 51:12