Wednesday, January 28 Repent, for the Kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.​—Matt. 4:17.

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Wednesday, January 28

Repent, for the Kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.—Matt. 4:17.

 

Throughout his ministry, Jesus taught his listeners about his Father’s forgiving nature. Consider the parable of the lost son. That young man chose to pursue a sinful way of life for some time. Yet, he “came to his senses” and returned home. How did the father respond? Jesus said that while the son “was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him . . . , and he ran and embraced him and tenderly kissed him.” The son intended to ask if he could become a servant in his father’s household, but his father called him “this son of mine” and restored him to his place in the family. The father said: “He was lost and has been found.” (Luke 15:11-32) When Jesus lived in heaven before coming to earth, he had surely seen his Father show such compassion toward countless repentant sinners. What a heartwarming and reassuring picture Jesus painted of our merciful Father, Jehovah! w24.0811 ¶11-12

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Jehovah does not wait for perfection before showing love. He watches for the heart to turn. Even a small step toward Him matters. When someone repents, Jehovah is already moving toward them.

 

Picture a porch light at night.

 

A father leaves it on—not because the house is perfect, not because the yard is clean, but because someone he loves might come home. The light is not a reward. It is a signal. You can still find your way.

 

Jehovah does not stand with folded arms, measuring distance. He watches for movement of the heart. Isaiah wrote: “Let the wicked man leave his way and the harmful man his thoughts; let him return to Jehovah, who will have mercy on him.” —Isaiah 55:7. The turning comes first. The mercy meets it immediately.

 

That means repentance is not crawling—it is turning around. It is not proving worth—it is choosing direction. And when that choice is made, Jehovah is already on the move, bringing forgiveness that lifts weight, relief that lets the chest breathe again, and warmth that says, You’re not alone on this walk back.