Mar 1, 2022
Lent is upon us. This week we’ll speak and hear the words, “remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return” as the sign of the cross is placed on foreheads. The journey of Lent is a time of repentance, fasting, and preparation for the coming of Easter.
We’ve planned a series of podcasts for Lent that will help you approach lent with hope. As you participate in self-examination and reflection this Lent, the podcast will help you explore a different theme each week. We begin this week with the theme of repentance.
Biblical Meaning of Repentance
In the Old Testament, there are two words used for repentance. They both mean to turn around or return. You can see it often in phrases like “to turn to the Lord with all your heart.”
In the New Testament, there is one word. It is the Greek word metanoia, which literally means “to change the mind.”
Repentance fundamentally means to change your mind or change your perspective or change the way you are thinking. You’ve been thinking one way, but now you think the opposite way. That’s repentance — the changing of the mind.
An example in the New Testament might be Romans 12:2: “Don’t be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
As you listen, explore several examples from Scripture. You also might “change your mind” about Tim and Sara always being serious. You’ll hear examples and reminders that help you embrace the role repentance places in our lives.