The reading of Evangelion (Gospel) during Holy Liturgy on Sunday after Denaha is St. Matthew 4:12-22. We come across two central themes in this scripture reference – a call for repentance of sins and recruitment of disciples. These are the two fundamental requisites for the growth of the Kingdom of Heaven. St. Matthew usually used Kingdom of Heaven, while other evangelists used Kingdom of God that is the same as the former in meaning. The targeted audience of St. Mathew’s gospel was mainly the Jewish community who never took God’s name (Kingdom of God) in vain based on God’s commandment, so he used the Kingdom of Heaven, which is synonymous to the other. Kingdom of Heaven/God is the sphere where God reigns; repentance is the acknowledgment of God’s rule.

John the Baptist and Jesus Christ started their public ministry with a powerful message of REPENTANCE. “And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” [St. Mark. 1:4, NIV] Jesus proclaimed, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” [St. Matthew. 4:17, NIV] His call was not addressed to the nation as a whole like that of in the Old Testament, but it was personal to each individual. Repentance is a golden key to Heaven, while the recruitment of disciples meant to prepare people how to use the key to open the door. When Peter confessed that Jesus was the Son of God, Jesus promised him ‘keys of the Kingdom of Heaven.’ [St. Matthew. 16:19]

The first man in the Holy Bible to call people for repentance was Noah. Because of his righteous life he and his family were secured from the destruction by flood. Later on, many prophets stood firm for God calling people for turning away from their sins. A long line of such men of God may be presented here, as Isaiah [Isaiah Chapter 1], Ezekiel [Ezekiel Chapter 18], Jonah [Jonah Chapter 3], Joel [Joel Chapter 2] and Jeremiah [Jeremiah Chapter 31].

1. According to New Testament, Salvation was unconditionally given to many known sinners who repented.

2. An adulterous woman who was brought to Christ for judgment and punishment was released due to her repentance.

3. The publican who admitted that he was a sinner while praying at the temple was accepted, where a Pharisee boasting of his self-righteousness was denied by the Omniscient God [St. Luke 18].

4. The repented prodigal son was welcomed back to his home with a great celebration [St. Luke 15].

5. Peter who shed tears for betraying Jesus was redeemed [St. Luke 23].

6. The thief on the right side of the crucified Christ prayed and confessed at the last moment of his life was immediately allowed to be in Paradise with Christ [St. Luke 23].

7. There are many more examples to cite. We wonder how powerful and beneficial the repentance and tears are!

What is repentance?

1. Repentance makes you eligible for forgiveness of sins and eternal life. If sins are regarded as the spiritual death [Romans 6:23, Wages of sin is death], forgiveness is the transfer from death to life. St. James 5:20 says, “Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”

2. Repentance resulting from the divine act inside a person causes to form a new heart in him/her to obey God Almighty. God says, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you…and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.” [Ezekiel 36: 25-27] Prayer and submission are required for the divine intervention.

3. The true repentance gives the power to forsake sins without returning to them. It leads us to a life of purity and closeness to the Lord who is holy and glorious. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” [Psalms 51:17]

4. The heaven rejoices over those who repent [St. Luke 15:7], and a great wave of joy is flooded in their homes, as evident in the repented prodigal son’s family. [St. Luke 15:22-27] Sin kills real joy of personal and family life while repentance brings it alive.