Chapter 32

Repentance goes beyond simply turning away from wrongdoing; it encompasses turning to God and dedicating oneself to positive change.”

“And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, ‘Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham.’” Luke 19:8-9

The Parable of the Prodigal Son is the account of a son who lives recklessly and squanders his inheritance and other possessions. In times of hardship, he acknowledges his wrongdoing and seeks forgiveness from his father, who warmly embraces him with joy. Luke 15:11-32.

John the Baptist preached repentance, preparing the way for the ministry of Jesus Christ, and as a necessary step toward salvation.

“In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”” Matthew 3:1-2).

The Parable of the Lost Sheep illustrates the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, emphasizing God’s love for the repentant.

“So he told them this parable: What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” Luke 15:3-7.

“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:8-9.

““Yet even now,” declares the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.” Joel 2:12-13.

“When the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she lamented over her husband. And when the mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.” 2 Samuel 11:26-27.

Repentance and confession are two of the ingredients for forgiveness. After being confronted by the prophet Nathan for his sin with Bathsheba, King David expressed profound sorrow and repentance. He suffered when he kept silent about his sin, and forgiveness came only after his confession to God.

“Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.” Psalm 32:1-5.

“And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:30-32.

The protest arose when Jesus sat down to dine with Levi and other despised tax collectors.

““And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.”  And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”” (Luke 19:8-10).

Zacchaeus, a tax collector, repented for his dishonesty and Jesus showed mercy and forgiveness.

“One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:39-43.

The criminal to whom Jesus extended the hand of forgiveness while on the cross is sometimes called the “Penitent Thief” or the “Repentant Thief.” Just like the account of Zacchaeus, this narrative demonstrates that there is room for forgiveness for sinners who confess and repent.