Repentance is not a natural or comfortable human reaction. It involves admitting that the past was wrong - so wrong that left to itself it would bring ruin - and that the future must be different.  Of course, that set of thoughts offends our pride.  But repentance is essential if we are to get back in right relationship with people and with God.  It is good to want reconciliation, but without repentance, any rapport is hollow and cannot be trusted.  Where sinful people do not admit guilt or ask for forgiveness, there is no possibility of true relationship being restored (Matthew 7:21-23).

In Jesus' parable (Luke 15:11-32), the young man who had wasted his father's money was ruined.  He had no resources, no friends, no home and no hope.  But the reality of sitting with the pigs stirred him to think. Instead of occupying his mind with the self-centred dreams of getting what he wanted, or how he could create a new identity, he became focused on the facts.  ‘When he came to his senses’ is an English expression from the original ‘When he came to himself’.  It means that illusion has gone and reality has come; sleeping or swooning has been replaced by consciousness and clear thinking.  Facts have replaced feelings and therefore wise decisions can be made (Ephesians 5:13-17).

The young man realised that nobody went hungry on his father's farm: he had been a fool to think he knew better (Psalm 53:1).  More than that, he knew he had spectacularly demonstrated his sinfulness, and could not hide it from his father or God.  He was financially, morally and spiritually bankrupt.  There was only one possible hope: his father.  The old man was known to be kind and fair, so the penitent young man decided to renounce his pride, admit his sin, to relinquish his rights as a son, and plead for a menial job as a servant (Proverbs 11:29).

Repentance is an essential part of getting right with God.  It is not a feeling; it is a decision and a verbal declaration (to God and others).  When the crowds at Pentecost realised with horror that they had killed the Son of God, they asked what they should do.  Peter said, "Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit..." (Acts 2:38).  Repentance throws pride away and embraces humility (Proverbs 3:34).  Such people never feel worthy or consider they have any right to bargain with God, and that is true.  But they trust in the loving and just character of Father God: loving, because He will receive every contrite soul, and just, because Jesus has been punished instead of the sinner.  That is the bedrock of Christian beginnings and everyday discipleship; it is the only solid foundation on which to build a relationship with God.  So, where sin has taken a hold, repent today!