JOYFUL CHANGE - ALBERT ELISHA OBERDORFER - SAMPLE
God’s goodness leads to true repentance. In scripture, we always see the same picture. People follow Jesus gladly because they have experienced His goodness. Zacchaeus is a prime example. So are many more. The blind man who received a miraculous healing of his eyes, in Luke 18, for example. How did he react once he had received his sight? He followed Jesus. (Luke 18:43) We see the same picture on the day of Pentecost. Peter preached the good news of Jesus Christ. Then the people were touched in their hearts and asked, “What shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38). And how did the people respond? “Then those who gladly received his word got baptized ...” (Acts 2:41) The point is: they got baptized because they received Peter’s word “gladly.’ This is the biblical way of repentance. It’s a joyful change.
God’s goodness leads to true repentance.
In scripture, we always see the same picture.
People follow Jesus gladly because they have experienced His goodness.
Zacchaeus is a prime example.
So are many more.
The blind man who received a miraculous healing of his eyes, in Luke 18, for example.
How did he react once he had received his sight?
He followed Jesus. (Luke 18:43)
We see the same picture on the day of Pentecost.
Peter preached the good news of Jesus Christ.
Then the people were touched in their hearts and asked, “What shall we do?”
Peter replied, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38).
And how did the people respond?
“Then those who gladly received his word got baptized ...” (Acts 2:41)
The point is: they got baptized because they received Peter’s word “gladly.’
This is the biblical way of repentance.
It’s a joyful change.
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While this happened, the Pharisees that<br />
were there in the house missed their<br />
chance of an encounter with Jesus.<br />
Because they were steeped in judgment.<br />
Simon thought in his heart,<br />
“This Man, if He were a prophet, would<br />
know who and what manner of woman<br />
this is who is touching Him, for she is a<br />
sinner.” (Luke 7:39)<br />
We know that in His kindness, Jesus then<br />
proceeded to talk to Simon as well.<br />
To teach him.<br />
But the point is this.<br />
The Pharisees expected Jesus to be an<br />
arbitrator of the law.<br />
They expected Jesus to treat people<br />
according to their history.<br />
But Jesus did not.<br />
He treated people according to their<br />
destiny.<br />
And this did not sit well with the<br />
Pharisees.<br />
They continually found fault with Jesus<br />
for being merciful instead of judgemental.<br />
See what they are saying.<br />
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