This document discusses the meaning of repentance as changing one's perception, and examines Jesus' rebuking of three cities - Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum - for not repenting despite his miracles. It explores how Jesus reveals the Father's heart of blessing through his abundant miracles and offer of rest. The cross is presented as displaying the Father's heart by meeting every need. Believers are called to present the Father's heart to others as Jesus sends them, just as the Father sent him.

1. Cross, Repentance and Blessing
1. Testimony of 13-year old Jewish boy
2. Meaning of Repentance
3. The Case of Three Cities (Matt 11:20-24)
4. Jesus reveals the Father’s Heart (Matt 11:25-30)
5. The Three Cities were stuck in their old perception
6. Cross displays the Father’s Heart and releases His Blessing
7. As the Father sent Me, I send you (John 20:21)

2. 1. Testimony of a 13-year old Jewish boy
“Jesus, I know you died for me but I don’t give a damn”.

3. 2. Meaning of Repentance
metanoeo = meta (change) noeo (perception afterwards)
Repentance means to change your perception after something
is presented to you.
From (Strongs NT: 3340) from Vine's Expository Dictionary of
Biblical Words). This is the normal and primary meaning.
However, we often use it as turning away from sin to follow
God which is a secondary meaning. Only in one case (Luke
17:3-4) it refers to repentance from sin.

4. 3. The case of three cities in Matt 11:20-24
John 21:25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were
written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for
the books that would be written
Matt 11:20-24 Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his
miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you,
Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in
you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long
ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre
and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.23 And you, Capernaum, will
you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades.[e] For if the
miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would
have remained to this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for
Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”

5. 4. Jesus reveals the Father’s heart of blessing
(a) through the abundant miracles (Matt 11: 25-27, 12:15).
Matt 11:25-27 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of
heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise
and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this
is what you were pleased to do. 27 “All things have been committed to
me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one
knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to
reveal him.
Matt 12:15 Many followed him, and he healed all their sick

6. 4. Jesus reveals the Father’s heart of blessing
(b) through the offer of rest & maturity (Matt 11: 28-30).
Matt 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and
I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I
am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Toil was the curse of the Fall but Rest is the blessing of the cross
Rom 8:14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the (mature)
sons of God.

7. 5. People in the three cities were stuck in their
old perception.
Mark 4:12 they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever
hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be
forgiven!’”
Rom 5:20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase.
But where sin increased, grace increased all the more.
Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to
all people.12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly
passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this
present age.

8. 6. The cross displays the Father Heart of God
(John 3:16, Eph 1:3).
God wants to meet every crisis and need and bondage of mankind after
the Fall. The Cross is God’s greatest expression of His Father Heart for
us.
Eph 1: 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who
has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in
Christ.
Col 2:9-10 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,
10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness.

9. 6. The cross displays the Father’s Heart (contd)
Through the cross there is provision for every blessing and every need
in life—for your family, your children, your finances, your sin, your
bondages, your sicknesses and your maturity — in character, wisdom
and power. Therefore,
• Don’t get stuck like the people in the three cities
• Don’t get short-changed through unbelief — rather be expectant.
Discipleship is a PROCESS of moving from UNBELIEF to BELIEF in
absolutely every area of life.
• Believe in the Power of the Cross during Communion

10. 7. As the Father has sent me, I am sending you
(John 20:21)
John 20:21 Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I
am sending you."
Luke 10:16 "He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me;
but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me."
Therefore:
• Be a presenter of the Father Heart of God wherever you are.
• Trouble & troublesome people are sent by God to encourage you to operate
from your spirit instead of your soul.
• When you see the Cross on the city skyline then remember that the Cross is
more than enough to overcome the sin and meet the needs of the people in
the city