I'm not sure when the word was largely cut from the Church's vocabulary, but the word repentance is one I hardly -if ever- hear. It's odd how little it is said, because it is one of the central elements of what Jesus preached.
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” -John the Baptist in Matthew 3:2
"From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'" -Matthew 4:17
"Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.'"-Mark 1:14–15
Repentance is central to the Gospel, because it shows what it looks like in your own life. Want to follow Christ? Repent and believe! Turn from your old ways and seek Him, though it goes against our natural disposition, our desires, and our craving to be received well by others.
In The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis writes,"The safest road to hell is the gradual one - the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts." Though repentance is a word people grimace at because they would much rather believe the lie that God only cares that you're happy, so do whatever you want! He loves you anyway!, repentance is a word that captures the beautiful hope Christ offers us.
Following Him leads you to recognize two truths- the goodness of Jesus and your lack thereof. We are wicked, deceitful, and stained people; Jesus is the exact opposite of that, and yet He died for the wicked- you and me. He died for the least deserving, but for the most needing, because there was no way we could have cleaned ourselves.
Theres a line in the song Hidden by Will Reagan where he says,"Your kindness leads me to repentance". Thinking of His glory and grace, and your lack of it, does it not make you want to turn around? Not terror or fear tactics, does not the goodness of Him alone lead you to turn to Him?
Jesus is a very quiet man. Just read His biographies; He stood up and shouted at feasts (John 7:37), flipped tables (Matt 21:12), and He talked about hell more than anyone else in the Bible (even more than He talked about Heaven).
So I think I have to disagree with Lewis. Jesus is a rather loud signpost, attempting to rouse those who were sleepwalking straight into hell. Jesus doesn't mince words, because He knows how absolutely vital that message is.
Do you do the same when talking about the gospel? Do you leave out topics (no matter how vital they may be) because you're terrified you'll be passed off as insane, or worse...hellfire and brimstone? Are you truly loving someone as you were called to if you leave out the repentative (if that's a word) side of the gospel?
The horrifying truth about hell is how easy it is to get in, the beauty of Jesus is how He leads us, teaches us, and rescues us from it the moment we repent and face Him.
Jesus was nailed to a cross and brutally killed to buy us our freedom. I'm not exactly sure what He was doing those three days afterward. Did He enter hell? Did He fight demons? Was there an epic battle? I don't have the slightest clue, but I know that at the end of the weekend a path had been paved that hadn't been there prior- a path, though narrow and slightly sketchy looking- that led straight to the gates of heaven, a path paved by the blood of the only one worthy enough to open the door.
Just turn around.
The path is paved, walk on it. And rejoice and dance on it, too!
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