Matthew 3.1-6, 11-12
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’”
4 John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
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11 “I baptize you with[b] water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with[c] the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
Personal Reflections Clearly, John was preaching a gospel of repentance of sins in preparation for the coming of Jesus. Yet it is important for us to note that for Christians, this is a continuing message that we need to embrace – that we continue to practise repentance. Of course, we have been saved from our sins at the time we come to faith in Jesus Christ. Yet we continue to be saved from our sins and addictions as we practise ongoing repentance.
What are the areas that you know God requires repentance from you? In what ways are you called to play the same role as John?
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