Change of mind.

When was the last time you changed your mind? What changed your mind? Some have changed their mind about career direction or educational pursuits. Others simply change their mind when it comes to certain values or precedence. In reality, we change our minds quite often: will I order a burger or a salad?

In the reading for this Sunday’s message, we are looking at another eyewitness account to the resurrection of the crucified and tortured Jesus. Part of that text speaks about a change of mind and it uses a word that is common in church vernacular, but I wonder if we often think about what this word actually means. See if you can find it:

[Jesus said,] “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:46-47)

The word in question is “repentance.” Jesus is telling the disciples and us that his suffering and resurrection from death demand repentance—a change of mind. As a kid, I grew up with a notion that repentance was simply saying, “I’m sorry.” Then, in the church setting, the pastor would pronounce the forgiveness of sins as a result of saying, “I’m sorry.”

But what does it take to say those words? What kind of effort does it necessitate for one person to say to another, “I’m sorry”? There are two basic ways that one could coerce those words out of their own mouth. One way involves a change of mind and the other does not.

When a husband sees that he has hurt a family member and then also recognizes that there will not be pleasantries exchanged in the near future UNLESS he says those words, “I’m sorry,” he might acquiesce. His compulsion to speak that phrase or it’s twin, “I’m wrong,” might be rather high, but it is forced. Is that really a change of mind? There was a mindset that caused the action in the first place. Is he willing to backtrack about what he has done? His willful action evoked pain in the life of another; is that notion enough to change his mind or will he simply utter words that gloss over the event.

The second impetus for speaking words of repentance comes from the Greek meaning of the word: to have a change of mind. When that same person sees the hurt that he has created and knows that he is the source of his beloved one’s pain, there occurs a sincere melting of stubbornness and indignation which causes his thoughts to stir. He ponders his appreciation for all the wonderful moments that he has spent with his wife and children and realizes that his actions will forever taint such future hopes of bliss. He takes a deep breath and realizes that he is at fault. He sees that he is wrong and is ashamed for that wrong. He wishes that the pain would never have been inflicted and he deeply, passionately wants to pull it back. Now that is valued repentance. That is more than a generic, rote repentance phrase; that is a change of mind.

As believers we are sent to preach repentance to a world in need of change. But this is not a pleasant message or even a well received message. It is quite difficult, as a sinful human being, to look at yourself and admit error. A territorial pride is invoked in each of us. Guilty humans prefer seeing others as culprits and we naturally find ourselves in a stance of adjudication.

How can we reverse such a trend? The answer comes from Luke 24 quoted above. It’s a three part message. Part one: the Christ should suffer. Part two: the Christ will rise from the dead. Part three: repentance. Repentance or true change of mind can only come from seeing that the Christ should suffer (one) and then rise (two).

Why should he suffer? Why should the perfect Jesus Christ be convicted of a crime he didn’t commit? Why should he be dragged through the streets as a guilty criminal? It wasn’t for his own sin; it was for mine. The necessity of his suffering reflects what I have done wrong. I caused him to suffer. I created a situation where he “should” die. Do I realize my wrong? Do I take a good solid look at the destructive nature of what he suffered and see my own liability? Will I look into his innocent face and see the smear of guilt that is not his but mine?

For those who are willing to look, there is a prospect of a viable change of mind. Only if I/we see our indiscretion framed in his cross-bearing pain. Only if I’m willing to examine the verdict of eternity’s courtroom scene and see that it is not “them” but “me” who is guilty. The world will continue to crumble, accuse others, burn out and tear down until one individual sees his guilt and has a change of mind. Then, another, warned of their own peril, sees in the eyes of Christ that he lovingly should suffer so that every woke human criminal can go free.

Will I change my mind about my innocence and instead, see my guilt? Will there be another person aware of their fragility and the compassion of the Christ? Will we have a change of mind as individuals, as a culture, as a city?

My mind has been changed. I can’t see the cross any longer and not see my sin. But I also can’t see the empty grave and not realize that I’m now forgiven. This must be both in order to experience real change. Such a combination of law and grace changes my mind and it can change the minds of a whole society. May Jesus be praised and every guilty human have a change of mind - repent.

Blessings as you ponder how the Christ should suffer for you, must rise for you and that your repentance must be proclaimed in his name. The crucified and risen Savior is a message that means change of mind. It demands a change of mind.

Pastor Al