He came to set that captives free.
In ancient times people asking for repentance from their sin, had to confess and then slaughter an animal as a sacrifice. Can you imagine? Growing up, confession was a Saturday thing, telling my sin to someone who really didn’t know me, receive my penance and start another week of messing up to do it all over again next week. It seemed never-ending and pointless.
There is good news! Jesus came so that we don’t have to do any of this. We can go boldly to Him, Jesus who know us intimately, and ask for His forgiveness. And in His unimaginable grace, He forgives and He forgets. Your sin is washed away. There is freedom in repentance.
Any new beginning starts with us walking away from the past. I think repenting from our sins is the same way. If we don’t repent, then there is no forgiveness and if no forgiveness, then there is no healing and if no healing, then we will ultimately die. Jesus came so we could be healed and whole and live forever. He wants us to experience the fullness of life that comes with a new beginning in Him! We all have a choice. Walk away from your sin, give it all to Jesus and feel the freedom of forgiveness and grace. You can pray today:
I am a sinner in need of a savior. Plain and simple. I believe that Jesus is the son of God and that he came so that I can be free. I want to be new. Forgive me of my sins. I am so sorry for all I have done. I believe in you. I belong to you. I give my life to you today. In Jesus Name. Amen
Today, give your life fully and completely to the Lord and watch and see what he will do! Choose life. Choose that new beginning today!
And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” Mark 1:4-8
“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
