From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17
Repent isn't so much about saying "I am sorry," which btw I say way too often so it drifts into vaguely annoying nothingness as I attempt to shoulder responsibility for everything that passes my way, be it flat tires to blinking hard drives, but it is about looking, about seeing reality in a brand new way, as in "You must change your hearts and minds, for the Kingdom of Heaven has arrived!" (Phillips)
This was John's message as well: Pay attention, take notice, turn around from what you are doing with all of your own busyness and preoccupations and Stop, Look, and Listen. or you might miss God Among Us.
Just as the snake-bitten Israelites had to turn and look to the lifted up bronze snake it is the Father's will that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him has eternal life.
This eternal life has begun. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. Taste and see that the Lord is good. May I live in this truth.
And the sun is glinting off of the scraped black peaks and pouring down the three-hundred-year-old forest as mom and I head off down the Going-to-the-Sun road, may our faces indeed be radiant, inside and out.
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