“In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’. .. From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’” (Matthew 3:1-2, 4:17)

It is the foundational message of the promised Messiah. The message is to repent. In the Old Testament, the message of repent was for one to turn from the ways of man and turn to the ways of God. “Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit.” (Ezekiel 18:3—31) David’s prayer of repentance asked God, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10) It is a call to God after his choice to follow the ways of men and now a new desire to turn to the ways of God.

When Jesus came into the world, the forerunner John the Baptist was already preaching a call to repentance. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matthew 3:2) After Jesus’ baptism, He also began to speak, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matthew 4:17) His call was also for the people to turn from the ways of man to the ways of God. The ways of God, now, would become the way of following Jesus Christ. This was not only a turning, but also a change in how we live, and how we think. This is a result of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” (John 16:13a) We are to learn the ways of God as we come to Him. “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24)

Repentance and faith bring us into a new life. A life where we are changing, being molded anew into the image of God. In the promise of the coming Messiah, Ezekiel gave this promise. “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26) Jesus has given us this new spirit, the Holy Spirt, and a new heart which gives us a desire for God’s way. With our new mind, we can learn the ways of God. Paul encourages us to use this new mind.

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:7-9)

We are able to walk daily with the Living Word of God because we have repented and have received a new heart and a new mind. Following Him, we can learn the ways of God as we are being changed and being made anew in the image of God. All because the Kingdom of God has come near to us in Jesus.

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block