Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. And Jesus said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate? I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

  Luke 13:1-5

In our world of turning on the news and seeing the latest tragedy, violent act, or death of yet another public figure, we need to remember the importance of making sure that we are in right standing with God. And the first step to making sure that we have received the gift of salvation and spiritual righteousness is that of repentance. In our passage today, some people had informed Jesus of a tragedy that had happened in their day. Apparently, some Galileans were killed by Pontus Pilate while offering sacrifices. Jesus used this report as an opportunity to address tragedy and the human need for repentance. “Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate?” Jesus asks this question because it is one that is common to man and one that most of us have probably thought about at one time or another. Do we see others suffer tragedy and immediately think that maybe they divinely “had it coming?” Jesus puts an end to the notion that there are people in our world who are “worst” sinners than the rest of the general population. He even refers to another event of a tower falling and crushing eighteen people. Using these two well-known tragedies of that day, Jesus reminds us of two importance things: (1) we are all equally in debt to God and in need of a Savior (James 2:10) and (2) that repentance is necessary if any of us are to receive salvation, spiritual transformation, and eternal life. 

So what is repentance? The word used in the New Testament literally means “to change your mind.” It carries with it the idea of reversing course, having a realization that we are moving in the wrong direction and seeking to do a course correction. This is repentance. We simply cannot entertain the idea of repentance and continue on with a “business as usual” mindset. Repentance means change…a change of mind, direction, and ultimately, our eternal destiny. 

There is simply no salvation apart from repentance. And we are not waiting on God, He is waiting on us. Consider the words of Paul:

Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?

  Romans 2:4

This is why Jesus is appealing to us to “repent.” It is our responsibility to respond to the Gospel and that begins with “changing our minds.” Repentance means changing our minds and calling on God to save us on the basis of what Christ has done for us on the cross. We must undergo this spiritual transformation, this born again experience, in order to receive salvation (John 3:3). And authentic salvation involves a complete transformation of our minds, hearts, and souls. Repentance brings salvation and salvation means that we now begin a new life in Christ, turning away from the world and its philosophies, while building and ordering our lives on the Word of God. And as born again believers in Jesus, we are now being led by the Spirit of God. And it is God’s Spirit that transforms our thinking, outlook, and attitudes, allowing us to now see with an awakened heart and spiritually opened eyes, able to discern the things of God, something that the unbelieving world simply cannot do because this ability is entirely dependent on God’s Spirit and power within us (1 Corinthians 2:14-15). And it is also the Spirit of God that acts as a check against our flesh. In fact, this is the only safeguard that we have against our flesh. When we are left unchecked by the Spirit of God, we will choose the flesh every time and we will find ourselves chasing after all of the shiny, bright objects of this world instead of seeking and pursuing God. But salvation, this new life in Christ, and the power of the Spirit living within us, all begins with repentance. 

We cannot have back all of the time which is behind us. We cannot go back and correct the mistakes, decisions, and attitudes contrary to God’s will for our lives. But the good news is that we do have a glorious opportunity in the present, in the here and now. It is an opportunity that has the power to bring transformative change in our lives, change that affects not only the rest of our time on earth but positions us in Christ so that we know where we are headed in eternity and with whom we will spend eternity. And once our eternal destiny is settled, we can now live in the power of God’s Spirit, acting as God’s ambassadors and the very conduits of His amazing love, grace, and mercy! (2 Corinthians 5:20) So why wouldn’t we take advantage of this amazing offer of repentance leading to new life in Christ? This appeal to “repent” can be found throughout scripture. We can even read of this appeal in the Old Testament:

Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, and He will have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.

      Isaiah 55:6-7

So Jesus tells us, “but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” 

It’s important for us to understand that this word “perishing” isn’t ceasing to exist, it is existence apart from God. It is a terrifying thing to consider yet so many today seem to live their lives without even the slightest concern for this reality. Perhaps this is because of apathy or even ignorance but, either way, the person living a non-repentant life, apart from Christ, and void of the Holy Spirit, will eventually perish without any chance of ever being redeemed if they continue to ignore the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But this is not the way that we, as Christians, talk because we have walked the road of repentance, some of us in the face of everything that defies human logic yet we were obedient to do what was necessary for us to receive healing, restoration, and, perhaps, even a calling. 

The time for repentance is now! We aren’t promised a certain number of days. On average, we are given seven, eight, or nine decades to live and then we stand before the Lord. Do we insist on living on our own terms, apathetic to the eternal consequences of such a decision to refuse to repent and receive the Gospel or are we willing to change our mind, turn from sin, death, and the world’s philosophies to a living Lord and Savior who is willing to give us life abundant and eternal? Doubling down on world pursuits apart from receiving salvation through faith in Jesus Christ is the most tragic decision anyone can make. But admitting our sin, running into the Saviors arms, and turning from sin by the power of the Spirit living within us, is the wisest and most life-giving decision we could ever make. Repentance…absolutely necessary for salvation and spiritual transformation and it is available to everyone of us…and it’s available right now!

He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.

    Proverbs 28:13