It is very important to teach "repentance."

It is very important to teach "repentance."

 

 

Jesus went around teaching in various villages and also called the twelve disciples, sending them out two by two, giving them the authority to drive out evil spirits.  So, the disciples went out, preaching repentance, driving out many demons, and anointing many sick people with oil to heal them (Mark 6:6-7, 12-13).  When I meditate on this passage, I think of a few things:

 

(1)    The importance of teaching ministry. Jesus taught and continued to teach (Matthew 4:23, 7:28, 9:35, 13:54, 21:23, 26:55; Mark 1:22, 4:2, 6:6, 34, 9:31; 13:35, 14:49; Luke 4:32, 5:17, 6:6, 13:10, 22, 19:47, 20:1; 21:37; John 6:59, 7:28, 8:20).  Jesus' teaching was not His own, but was from God who sent Him (John 7:16).  Pastors must teach God's Word (Acts 18:11).  Pastors should diligently read the Bible, exhort, and teach without ceasing (Acts 5:42; 1 Timothy 4:13).  Pastors should set an example in everything by doing good works, and when they teach, they should do so with purity, sincerity, and words that are beyond reproach (Titus 2:7-8).  Believers who hear the right words from their pastors should practice the truth they have heard (2 Timothy 1:13).  Jesus' words: "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:31-32).

 

(2)    When reflecting on the words that the twelve disciples, who were given the power to cast out evil spirits by Jesus, went out and preached "Repent!" (Mark 6:7, 12, Korean Modern Bible), I remember that John the Baptist also preached, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near" (Matthew 3:2), and Jesus also preached, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near" (4:17).  What came to mind was that, following the grace and guidance from God, I began dividing a book titled "May the Fire of Revival Ignite in Our Family" into five parts. I shared writings on Bible meditation in each part on my Naver blog by copying and pasting them, with Part 1 being "Repentance." I believe this is not a coincidence.  I believe the Lord wants me to first repent, return to God, and do works worthy of repentance (Acts 26:20), and through this book, deliver the message of 'Repent!' to our families.

 

(3)    When reflecting on the words that the twelve disciples, who were empowered to cast out evil spirits, went out and preached "Repent!" (Mark 6:7, 12, Korean Modern Bible), but some people did not welcome them or listen to their message (v. 11), I remembered the passage from Acts 7:55-58, where Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw God's glory and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.  When he shouted, "Look! I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!" the Jews covered their ears, shouted at the top of their voices, and all rushed at him, dragging him out of the city to stone him.  Even now, there are not only people who do not listen to the word of God preached by the pastor, but also people whose hearts are blocked due to worries of this world and temptations regarding wealth (Matthew 13:22).  Additionally, there may be church members who refuse to listen to the word, harden their hearts, and metaphorically throw stones at the pastor who is preaching.