Repentance
The Old Testament Lesson this Sunday – from Jonah 3 – and the New Testament Lesson – from Mark 1 – are held together thematically by repentance. But who wants to talk about repenting? The word repent makes us think of this sign:
Too bad the word and concept have been commandeered by the street evangelists. It could be a nice sentiment; it reminds me of the Lenten season ahead.
In our biblical story, Jonah, the prophet, obeys The Call and travels to Nineveh to deliver the world's shortest sermon: "Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!" It's not actually a call to repentance; it's a statement of impending judgment. I'm not clear that Jonah expects a response. Perhaps he would prefer them not to act and receive their punishment. Yet, they do respond. Large and small. Human and animal. All repenting. Even the King.
The folks Jonah loves to hate repent. It's likely exactly the outcome Jonah least wanted. His enemies turn around their behavior. They are determined to act better.
The scene ends with this theological gem and puzzle:
When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.
The people repent, and God responds benevolently. And this is very upsetting to our dear Jonah. Because he is not interested in grace toward Nineveh. But God certainly is.
Jesus also preaches a short sermon in the opening chapter of Mark's gospel. Just a few parse statements about the kin-dom and the good news.
14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the good news of God 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”
But in this short discourse, Jesus links together the coming of the kin-dom and repentance.
Lent is Coming Soon!
I have co-written a bible study for the Lenten season. You can view an introduction to the book here.
A Benediction (Or Miscellaneous Thoughts)
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