GREAT THINGS ENTERPRISE
CLAUDE BLACK
Mark 6:12
The Power of Repentance
I’ve made decisions that I regret. A silly example: Recently, I purchased a book. The title sounded interesting and discussed a topic that interested me. When the book arrived and I looked for a place on the shelf to store it, I saw another book—same title, same ISBN, same book. I regretted having purchased the second identical book, but I didn’t change my habit. I still purchase books. I try to be careful and not to purchase copies I already have, but I still purchase books.
Another silly example: I occasionally use a chainsaw. I would drop-start the saw—holding the chainsaw in one hand and the starter rope in the other hand, and drop the saw, which pulled the starter rope—causing the engine to start abruptly. Then I saw a video of someone using this technique. The saw started, swung sideways, and tore into the user’s leg, causing severe damage. I changed my mind and my habit. Now I start the saw while it is lying on the ground, with one foot atop it and pull the starter cord.
These are simple examples, but they illustrate two different behaviors—regret versus change of mind.
Jesus instructed his twelve close followers about how they should approach their first evangelistic tour. He discussed what they should wear, what they should take, and where they should go. “And they went out and proclaimed that people should repent.” (Mark 6:12) Translators usually render the word Mark used in this instance (μετανοέω, metanoeó) as “repent.” The English word “repent,” though, came into the English language from the Old French word “repentir,” which means to feel regret or sorrow for one’s past actions. Mark’s word, however, is much different (from μετά, meta, “after,” and νοέω, noeō, “to think” or “to perceive”). It means to change one’s mind, to change the inner man, to think differently. It’s possible to regret an action (e.g., purchasing the wrong book) without ever changing the mind or behavior.
Changing the mind is hard—much more difficult than regretting an action. The disciples’ audiences had studied the Law and the Prophets. They knew and practiced the required social and temple liturgy. Jesus’ messengers were now telling them that they needed to change their mind, to look for a different kind of Messiah, to reread the Law and the Prophets. So Mark’s statement could be translated, “They went out and proclaimed that people should change their minds,” a much more difficult task than feeling sorrow or regret.
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