July 10
(Luke 15:8-10 NIV) ““Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? {9} And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' {10} In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.””
(Matthew 4:12-17 NIV) ““When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee. {13} Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali-- {14} to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: {15} "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles-- {16} the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." {17} From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.””
(Matthew 11:20-24 NIV) ““Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. {21} "Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. {22} But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. {23} And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. {24} But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.””
Repentance is a dirty word in much of our culture, and sadly, even in much of the church. Repentance starts with the realization that one has sinned and offended our holy God. It starts with feeling bad, and many people will spend their whole life avoiding bad feelings, living in the stupor of denial and addiction. As a result, they never reach repentance. They remain lost. Jesus is searching for those lost in the darkness of this world. We are not like the inanimate coin in today’s parable. We can choose to be found. Repentance lights us up. It lets God know we want a life with Him. It means we are done hiding and are ready to be found. When Christ walked among us, He embodied God’s love -- but He also did not hesitate to denounce those with prideful spirits, arrogant minds, cruel intentions, and unrepentant hearts. Do not be found among them. Repent! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day
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