What is Repentance? And Why Does it Matter to God?
Explore the biblical concept of repentance, its significance in the eyes of God, and its transformative power through The Parable of the Two Sons. Discover how repentance differentiates between genuine followers of Jesus and those who only pay lip service to faith.
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The Parable of the Two Sons
28 “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’
29 “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
30 “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.
31 “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”
“The first,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.
What Does Repentance Do?
To get started, I want to discuss the movement of the Holy Spirit and that, even today, God is still at work doing mighty things through the power of the Holy Spirit. He has done things in the past, is doing things in the present, and will continue to do things in the future.
I can’t help but reflect on what God has done in history. Minister and author J. Edwin Orr talks about a great move of the Holy Spirit through the Welsh revival, with evangelist Evan Roberts, that happened in 1904 and 1905:
“Drunkenness was immediately cut in half, and many taverns went bankrupt. Crime was so diminished that judges were presented with white gloves signifying that there were no cases of murder, rape, assault or robbery, or the like to consider. The police became unemployed in many districts. Stoppages occurred in coal mines, not due to unpleasantness between management and workers, but because so many foul-mouthed miners became converted and stopped using foul language that the horses that hauled the coal trucks in the mine could no longer understand what was being said to them.”
I recognize there’s an element of humor behind that quote, but think about the substance that Orr addresses. In Acts 3, Peter says, “Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”
Repentance brings light, life, and transformation through God’s Gospel. Also, historically, we’ve seen a transformation of cultures and nations when people turn to God. This brings us to our passage, The Parable of the Two Sons.
The Parable of the Two Sons
Jesus is teaching in the Temple. In addition to His disciples, Chief Priests, Pharisees, and religious leaders were present. They had all gathered to hear when He shared this parable.
JESUS: “And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go.” Matthew 21:28c-30
So, the first son said he would not go, but he did go. The second son said he would go but did not go. The two sons represent all people, and the vineyard represents the world. Jesus shares this to illustrate the reality of the Kingdom.
This tells us that there are two types of people—those who genuinely respond to God in Jesus Christ and those who do not. The two sons represent a distinction in how all will respond.
Some respond to God only with their lips.
Some respond to God with their full heart.
As Jesus shares this parable, He randomly shifts gears and starts talking about John the Baptist.
JESUS: “For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him.” Matthew 21:32a-b
Why did Jesus bring up John the Baptist while sharing the parable? Also, why did Jesus point out that they didn’t believe John the Baptist?
In John 5, Jesus healed a man who’d been an invalid for 38 years, but He did it on the Sabbath. Additionally, Jesus called “God His own father,” which disturbed the religious leaders of the day. They begin a plot to kill Him after this episode. So, Jesus says to them:
JESUS: “He (John the Baptist) was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.” John 5:35 (note added)
Notably, Jesus uses the past tense, “you were willing.” The Pharisees and religious people liked John the Baptist when he was merely religious, wearing unique clothes, eating organic food, and doing all that out of the lens of his discipline before God. He’s like a shining light. But what changes is they shifted from seeing him merely as a religious figure when they actually started listening to him.
What was John the Baptist’s message that caused them to reject him?
JOHN THE BAPTIST: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 3:2
JOHN THE BAPTIST: “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” Matthew 3:8
Which also aligned with the message of Jesus.
JESUS: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17
JESUS: “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:32
There is no genuine response to God without repentance. You cannot be a follower of Jesus without repenting of your sins. To grow in sanctification, you must engage in a holy pattern, which means you cannot be a follower of Jesus and be content with a lifestyle of being:
Gossiper
Unforgiving
Drunkenness
Sex outside of marriage
Pornography
Division between brother or sister in Christ
Hateful
Indifferent heart toward the commands of Christ
Prideful
Glutton
The first son refused but later surrendered, a.k .a. he repented. Jesus says the first son is like the tax collectors and prostitutes. It seems like an odd comparison, but He said that because the tax collectors and prostitutes were among those who believed John the Baptist’s message of repentance. They accepted “the way of righteousness” (v. 32) and repented despite their initial disobedience to the Law.
You are like the second son when you agree with the words but don’t surrender your heart to Jesus and His Word. Alternatively, many tax collectors and prostitutes received the message of John the Baptist and Jesus and did the will of the Father; they repented.
JESUS: “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, did not afterward change your minds, and believe him.” Matthew 21:31e-32
The non-religious crowd confessed their sins, repented, and went on to labor in the vineyard. The reason they enter the Kingdom is because they repent of their sins. They turned to God.
However, the religious leaders who did not repent and believe would be denied entrance. These religious leaders stood condemned. The difference between being a first son or second son rises on one primary matter: Repentance.
How to Repent
Repentance not only turns your heart toward God but also opens the windows of heaven into your life. As you turn toward God, He turns toward you. I’ve learned through the years that God shows up where He’s wanted.
When we encounter the Scriptures, it clearly shows that we’re called to repent. But some of us have gotten so much “church” that we are immune to the church’s message. If we’re not careful, we can sleep through Jesus’ words.
So, what does repentance look like?
An honest evaluation of our spiritual condition. Be honest with God and yourself.
A hunger for God’s restoration. It’s a search for God’s refreshing in your life.
Prayer for God to forgive us and make us His own in Jesus Christ. Confess to Him and know that He is a forgiving God.
Repentance can thaw your heart and restore your life. As the Scriptures promise, refreshing comes from Jesus alone.
TL;DR
This blog explores the concept of repentance, using the parable in Matthew 21:28-32 as a guide.
It explains the significance of genuine repentance in the eyes of God, drawing a clear distinction between those who merely give lip service to faith and those who wholeheartedly turn to God.
It emphasizes how repentance not only transforms individuals but also opens the doors to God's blessings and forgiveness, providing insights into what repentance entails and how it can thaw hearts and restore lives.
Related Reading
How Do I Find Satisfaction in God by Rev. Paul Lawler
What is a Parable by Grant Caldwell
How to Develop Intimacy with God by Rev. Paul Lawler
