“Repent for the kingdom of Heaven is near.” This simply means that the reign of God is here with the new covenant that Jesus was bringing.

The reign of God coming meant that salvation was here! That is the good news! But on the other hand, that also meant that judgment is also here.

“REPENT for the kingdom of Heaven is near.” Repent because our King has arrived.

Repentance is a crucial part of our salvation. It is the recognition of sin followed by a deep sorrow of our sin. But it doesn’t stop there. True repentance is a changing of mind or a total conversion of ourselves. It is not only saying, “Hey, I messed up. I’m sorry I did this.” But it is also a deep desire to change your ways.

The conversion is key. Even Judas felt sorrow for his betrayal. Pharaoh admitted his sin against the Lord to Moses. My students tell me that they are sorry on an almost minute-by-minute schedule. However, Judas did not turn away from his sin, nor did Pharaoh. They had no true intention of changing their behavior.

Yesterday, I talked about Jadis, the witch from The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, coming to collect her payment for Edmund being a traitor, a sinner. If you’ve seen the movie, you know that it is not Edmund who dies on the stone table. It is Aslan. Edmund, like all of us, deserved that death. Edmund lied. He turned on his family for some delicious candy. He bullied his younger sister. But as the story unfolds, we see that he is truly repentant. He apologizes, but not only that, his choices change.

When John the Baptist saw the Pharisees and Sadducees approaching, he called them a “brood of vipers” and made it clear that they thought they did not need to confess their sins, turn from their sins, and be baptized. They believed that their heritage would save them. They came from the line of Abraham, surely that would get them into Heaven.

“I go to church. Surely I’ll make it.”

“My parents and grandparents were Christians. I’m fine.”

“I believe in God. So what if I do this evil?”

“I live in the Bible Belt.”

None of those mean salvation. None of those involve a relationship with Christ, which you cannot have without true repentance.

Our repentance should mirror that of David in Psalm 51. In verse four he says, “Against you, only you, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight…”

All good stories have a redemptive arc - when good overthrows evil. This story unfolding in the Bible is no different. In fact, we know how it ends. With God being victorious! The only question is: Will you be the grain that falls to the ground, the chaff that gets blown away in the wind?

Reflection:

• As you sit in God’s presence, think of how you have fallen short, and confess and give those shortcomings to the Lord.
• If you’re unsure of how to repent, look back to Psalm 51.
• Take a few moments throughout this week to listen to “At Your Feet” by Casting Crowns.
  
  

  Family Application: Matthew 3

Author: Cooper Herrington

Do you remember what we said on the first day about everything pointing to Jesus? Well, today is a great example of that. John the Baptist was called the one preparing the way for the Lord. John was preparing the people for Jesus to come. Everything John did and said was pointing to Jesus. John taught people to repent from their sins and turn to God. John baptized people, that is why He was called John the Baptist.

One day Jesus came to John the Baptist and was baptized. We want to live like Jesus lived and one way we can follow Jesus is through baptism. Baptism is one way we show the world that we follow Jesus. (Families, this is a great time to talk with your kids about salvation and baptism. Even if they aren’t ready to follow Jesus or be baptized you can still have a conversation to get an idea of where they are right now spiritually.)

• Today is a great chance to tell someone you know about Jesus. Find someone you know and tell them Jesus loves them. You can invite them to come to church with you.
• Prayer: God, thank You for letting me be a part of Your story. Thank You for letting me tell other people about Your Son, Jesus. God, help me see myself the way You see me. Amen.