The half beast-half man camel-like creature frightened me.

John the Baptist pointed his finger at the religious leaders shouting, “Repent, you hypocrites!” Cowering, I felt his finger find me in the crowd and I associated repentance with this strange, accusing figure.

Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.
Matthew 3:2 (NRSV)

My childhood minister’s long, black robe and angry face intensified the image of this hairy, honey-glazed bug-eating man (Matthew 3:4). Shaking in my patent leather Mary Janes, I heard “Repent or else!” I silently filled in the blank “or else go to hell”, not even whispering the forbidden ‘H’ word.

When [John] saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance… Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Matthew 3:7,10 (NRSV)

Being in close proximity to the kingdom of heaven was terrifying! That traumatic early teaching colored repentance with a threat.

Be good or else…

Follow the rules or else…

Or else be cut down and thrown into the fires of hell. YIKES!

Sadly, that fear-filled teaching misrepresented the life-transforming, loving nature of repentance.

Fortunately, Bible study taught me that repentance really means to change one’s mind, to think better and turn back, or to learn one’s lesson. Some call repentance a ‘one eighty’ – a 180 degree turn away from sin and back toward God.

The Jewish tradition considers repentance God’s beautiful invitation to return home.

On Rosh Hashanah, the Hebrew New Year, the 100 blows from a ram’s horn, or shofar, is an invitation that can’t be ignored. Like Reveille, the Feast of Trumpets awakens Jews from their comfortable, worldly, apathetic, and sinful slumber.

The shofar calls out, “Repent!”, and starts ten days of repentance, intriguingly called Ten Days of Awe. How is repentance related to awe?

In Hebrew, awe means reverence and respect.

The Ten Days of Awe allow time to respect the holiness of God and humbly reflect on our unholiness evidenced in the year’s mistakes. In response, Jews reconcile relationships by asking and offering forgiveness.

Reconciling with others is part of reconciling with God.

Repentance renews our relationship with the One who created us and loves us, who calls us very good (Gen 1:31), the apple of His eye (Dt 32:10), a bride beautifully dressed for her husband (Rev 21:2), a people close to His heart (Ps 148:14).

On January 1st we often make New Year’s resolutions and work toward becoming a better version of ourselves. Rosh Hashanah reminds us of who God says we already are. Aaron Shaw at The Bible Project writes:

Rosh Hashanah says that we are already built to be loved by God and remain safe in his presence. Instead of asking us to please God (or others) by becoming more than we are, Jesus invites us to see who we already are… the original truth of creation: Humans are miraculous creations of God, made for life and love with Him and each other in this generous, flourishing, and good creation.

No more fear. I repent with awe for God’s holiness and humility that He invites me into life with Him.

Embrace repentance not with fear, but as an invitation from God to return to His loving arms. Remember who you are: deeply loved, cherished, and already worthy. Let each day be a step toward rediscovering the joy of living in God’s grace.

May Rosh Hashanah’s shofar awaken you to remember whose you are. Come home.

Read about John’s fiery fervor for real change because it isn’t about being sorry, but being changed.

#SeedsofScripture #readthebiblebetter #biblestudy #scripturestudy #RoshHashanah #TheBibleProject #cherished #daysofawe #repentance

Resources:
Rabbi Jason Sobel on TBN’s God’s Appointed Times
https://bibleproject.com/articles/rosh-hashanah