From The Book Of Luke: 

Repentance is the act of recognizing our mistakes or sins, feeling remorseful, and making a conscious decision to change our ways. In this context, Jesus is emphasizing his authority as the Son of Man and Lord of the Sabbath. This means that Jesus has the power and authority to challenge traditional religious practices for the sake of a greater purpose. By saying this, Jesus is teaching us that true repentance transcends rigid religious rules and rituals. It involves a deep understanding of our hearts and a willingness to be transformed. Jesus wants us to understand that repentance is not about adhering to a set of external regulations, but rather, it’s about a genuine change of heart and a realigning of our actions with God’s will. 

But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” ( Matthew 9:13 ) 

The Lost Sheep -Seeking the Wanderer: 

In this poignant parable, Jesus paints a vivid picture of a shepherd leaving the ninety-nine sheep to search for the one that went astray. The lost sheep represents a soul in need of repentance, emphasizing God’s relentless pursuit of those who have strayed from the path of righteousness. 

Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?  And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home.
Then he calls his friends and neighbours together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.
’ I tell you that in the same way, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents
 than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. ( Luke 15:3-7 )

God’s unwavering love and commitment to seeking out and redeeming the lost. The joy in heaven over one sinner who repents underscores the immense value placed on genuine repentance. 

The Lost Coin: 

Recovering the Precious Treasure delves into the narrative of a woman diligently searching for a lost coin in her home. This parable symbolizes the meticulous care with which God seeks out and restores those who are lost. The woman’s joy upon finding the coin reflects the heavenly celebration over repentant hearts.

 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbours together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’  In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” ( Luke 15:8-10 )

God’s meticulous and intentional search for each individual who has strayed. The rejoicing in heaven when one sinner repents, emphasises the transformative impact of repentance on the divine realm. 

The Story of the Prodigal Son:

It is a well-known parable that beautifully illustrates the concept of repentance. A young man who, driven by his desires, makes reckless choices and squanders his inheritance. As he finds himself in a state of despair and emptiness, he realizes the error of his ways. The Prodigal Son acknowledges his mistakes, takes responsibility for his actions, and humbly seeks reconciliation with his father. His decision to turn away from his past behaviour and embark on a new path demonstrates genuine remorse and a desire to change. The father’s response to his son’s repentance is one of unconditional love and acceptance. He not only forgives his son but also celebrates his return, emphasizing the importance of forgiveness and the restoration of broken relationships.

Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his
father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant
country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.
After he had spent everything,
there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.
So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed
pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one
gave him anything.
When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have
food to spare, and here I am starving to death!
I will set out and go back to my father
and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
 I am no longer
worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’
So he got up and
went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion
for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no
longer worthy to be called your son.’
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a
ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a
feast and celebrate.
For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is
found.’ So they began to celebrate.
 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard
music and dancing.
So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going
on.
‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf
because he has him back safe and sound.’
 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and
pleaded with him.
 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for
you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could
celebrate with my friends.
 But when this son of yours who has squandered your
property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
“‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.
But
we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive
again; he was lost and is found.’” ( Luke 15 : 11-32  )

This parable teaches us that repentance is portrayed as a transformative process, that is not just about feeling sorry for our wrongdoings but also taking action to make amends and seek reconciliation. It reminds us that no matter how far we may have strayed, there is always an opportunity to turn back, seek forgiveness, and start anew.

From Persecutor to Apostle:
The Transformative Journey of Paul and the Power of Repentance in Early Christianity”:

The Apostle Paul or Saul of Tarsus, is a remarkable example of repentance and transformation. Before his conversion, Paul was a zealous persecutor of early Christians. He played a significant role in the stoning of Stephen, one of the first Christian martyrs. 

However, everything changed for Paul on the road to Damascus. As he was travelling, a bright light from heaven suddenly surrounded him, and he heard the voice of Jesus asking, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” This encounter left Paul blinded and profoundly shaken. After this encounter, Paul experienced a radical transformation. He repented of his past actions and devoted his life to spreading the teachings of Jesus Christ. He became one of the most influential figures in the early Christian church, authoring numerous letters that form a significant part of the New Testament.

The biblical proof of Paul’s repentance can be found in his writings. Paul’s letters, known as the Pauline Epistles are found in various books of the New Testament, such as Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians, Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. In his letter to the Galatians, Paul writes about his former way of life, acknowledging his persecution of the church.

“know that a person is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we,
too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the
works of the law, because by the works of the law, no one will be justified.”
( Galatians 2:16 )

He emphasizes that his conversion was not a result of human persuasion but a divine revelation from Jesus Himself. Furthermore, Paul’s actions after his conversion demonstrate his genuine repentance. He endured immense hardships, including imprisonment, beatings, and shipwrecks, all for the sake of spreading the gospel. His unwavering commitment to his newfound faith serves as a testament to his repentant heart. ( Refer – Acts 9 )

“Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed.” ( Acts 13:28 )

St.Paul’s Message:

The apostle Paul discusses the concept of freedom from sin through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He explains that when a person dies, they are released from the clutches of sin and its control over them. This means that, through faith in Jesus, believers are no longer bound by the guilt and consequences of their past sins. Paul’s message is one of hope and liberation. It reminds us that through the death and resurrection of Jesus, we have the opportunity to break free from the dominion of sin and experience a
renewed life of righteousness. This verse serves as a reminder of the transformative power of God’sgrace and the freedom it offers to those who believe in Him.

“For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might
be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—  because anyone who
has died has been set free from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.”
( Romans 6: 6- 8 )

John the Baptist’s message:

John the Baptist’s message to the people, urging them to demonstrate their repentance through their actions, encourages the crowd to bear fruit in keeping with repentance. This means that true repentance is not just about words or empty promises, but it should be reflected in tangible actions and a transformed way of life. It is a call to live in alignment with God’s will and to make positive changes in our behaviour.

“Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. “( Matthew 3:8 )

A Timeless Path to Redemption

In conclusion, the biblical perspective on repentance reveals it as a timeless path to redemption. It’s an ever-present call to return, renew, and experience the transformative
embrace of divine mercy. As we navigate the complexities of life, the wisdom embedded in biblical repentance remains a guiding light—a source of hope, renewal, and the assurance of a reconciled relationship with the Creator.

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
and all are justified freely by his
grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
( Romans 3: 23-24 )

‘”You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” ( Romans 5:6 )

“For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you
profess your faith and are saved.” ( Romans 10:10 )

The Bible is filled with promises and examples that highlight the blessings of repentance. It’s a transformative process that not only brings forgiveness but also leads to spiritual growth, peace, joy, and a restored relationship with our loving Creator