Except Ye Repent

Except Ye Repent Luke 13:1-5 12-15-07

Today we’ll talk a little while about the not too often talked about subject of “REPENTANCE”.

Listen as I read today’s text found in Luke 13:1-5 - 1 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? 3I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

4Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? 5I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

First of all Let me point out that there are 3 different meanings for the word, "repent or repentance"

And let me say that I’m certainly not a Greek or Hebrew scholar, [I speak the language of Pickens county] but according to the Greek dictionary here are the meanings.

Ø (Gr metanoia). Here in our text the meaning is, to repent of ones sins from the heart and have a change of mind and heart and come to true heart repentance in order to be saved.

Ø [Metamelomai] And this is the meaning that Judas Iscariot showed when he saw that Jesus was led away to be crucified.

Matt. 27: 1 When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: 2And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. 3Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, --

The Lord Jesus was there when Judas came. As the chief priests and elders were leading Him through that hall to take Him to Pilate, Why doesn’t Judas turn to the Lord Jesus and ask forgiveness?

He repented himself, “he regretted what he had done”.

The meaning here is different from the term for repentance to salvation (Gr metanoia). Judas shows every indication of still being unsaved: he betrays innocent blood for money, becomes guilty, returns the money, and commits suicide. These are the actions of a guilty conscience, not a forgiven and regenerate one.

The difference between meta-noia and meta-melo-mai, is one of “repentance” and “regret.”

And the 3rd meaning is:

Ø [Ameta- mele- tos[ “not repented of, and unregretted” ( it signifies “without change of purpose”; it is said of God in regard to his “gifts and calling,” Rom. 11:29 29For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. (it signifies “without change of purpose”

The reason I gave you the different meanings is so we might under stand that when we read about repenting or repentance we’ll know there are different meanings for the word according to the the text.

Once again listen as I read our text verse found in

Luke 13:1-5 - 1 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, [slaughtered] whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.* "2And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? 3I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

--4Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? 5I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."

Twice Jesus repeated identical words to reinforce the necessity of repentance, the victims of Pilate- and the men who were killed when the tower fell were not judged of God. God does nothing out of spite. But Christ was telling the religious crowd of His day that unless they repented, they would also perish.

~~The word "perishes" means~ {to be destroyed fully}

We see here that twice Jesus repeated identical words to reinforce the necessity of repentance.

It seems that Pilate sends his soldiers to find some Galileans and slaughters them while they are offering sacrifices. He sends his soldiers and finds them there and slaughters them up in a gruesome way, we’re told here that their blood was being mingled with the blood of the sacrifices.

And let us realize that these people were not pagans; they’re worshiping, they were doing what the Old Testament says. They’re worshiping God, they’re confessing their sins, and they’re bringing their offering. How can such a bad thing happen to good people we might say?

In verse 2 Jesus responds to the intention of their bringing this incident up, He say’s, “Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans because they suffered such things?”