Explore: The way prepared

• The Explore the Bible lesson for Dec. 6 focuses on Matthew 3:1-12.

A consistent biblical message

As we begin Matthew’s Gospel, our study takes us straight to John the Baptist, the messenger of God who prepared the way for Jesus, the Savior. John certainly is an interesting biblical character, but his message of preparation is perfectly aligned and consistent with the message of the Old Testament and with the message of the coming King.

His message is simple and clear: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matthew 3:2). This may sound like a familiar message. God told the Israelites in Jeremiah 35:15: “Again and again, I sent all my servants the prophets to you. They said ‘Each of you must turn from your wicked ways and reform your actions.’” Matthew goes into extra detail to let us know Jesus, at the beginning of his ministry, proclaimed the exact same thing: “From that time on, Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matthew 4:17). Notice, he began to preach, meaning it was a common theme for Jesus. In fact, teaching and preaching about the kingdom of God is Jesus’ primary subject matter.

Repent

Repent. Seems simple enough. But how offensive it is to those without faith. Repent, or turn away from, means people must acknowledge they are broken, sinful, corrupt and depraved. To repent is to acknowledge there is indeed a God, and we have unjustly broken his commandments and standards. Don’t breeze past this truth in your teaching. Without repentance, there is no salvation. Without acknowledgment, and even remorse over sin, there is no salvation. 

Some modern pastors, even in the Bible belt “buckle” of Texas, have tried to preach a gospel without the need to repent. Let me be clear: A “gospel” without a call to repentance is no gospel at all. We don’t need to “do better” or “try harder” or “be nice.” We need tearful, broken remorse—that is called repentance. We aren’t “mistakers” in the hands of an unjust God; we are rebels in the hands of a perfectly just God. 

Turn away

True repentance always leads to new behaviors. True repentance groans at the idea of returning to one’s sins.  I’m sorry to be so graphic, but Proverbs says, “As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly” (Proverbs 29:11). Matthew highlights this truth later in his text about John the Baptist: “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” John simply was saying, “Repent and turn from your old ways.”
Paul loved the word “flee.” He used it many times in his letters. The image of “flee” in the Bible is one of calamity. It conjures up visions of one standing in the pathway of a tornado. Run! Jeremiah, John, Jesus and the Apostle Paul all concur: Repent, turn away, run from your sins.

The kingdom is near

This message probably is somewhat lost to us. Culturally, historically, John’s audience believed they were far from God, not near. They had been overtaken by the powerful Roman Empire. They had lost the very essence of their beloved Promised Land. 

The period between the Old Testament and New Testament is referred to as the “Intertestamental Period.” It is synonymously referred to as the “400 Years of Silence.” In that period, there was no written record of God’s activity in the world. Around 63 B.C., Pompey of Rome conquered Palestine, placing all of Judea under the rule of the Caesars and the Roman Empire. It was a dark period for the people of God.

Additionally, the Pharisees, scribes and teachers of the law, the perpetual “bad guys” portrayed in the Gospels, made sure everyone believed God was far away, not near. In fact, they taught the only ones near to God were themselves. Jesus reminded them they were overly judgmental and wouldn’t even lift one finger to help sinners.

So, when John proclaimed, “The Kingdom of heaven is near,” it likely was astonishing. God must have seemed so far away. But in the advent of Jesus, light was going to break into the darkness like never before. As the Gospel of John proclaims, “The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world” (John 1:9).

In Jesus, God came near. And even though the Pharisees tried to keep people in the dark, he lovingly drew near.

Looking toward Jesus

John’s goal was very clear; he was preparing people for the coming of the Messiah. “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I” (Matthew 3:11). John’s message is, “Get ready!” Why repent? It’s a preparation for truth. The Way, Truth and Life was about to step on the scene. If they wanted to be prepared to hear his truth, repentance was necessary.

Elli’s bedside salvation

Recently, I joined a Wednesday-night small-group Bible study at the church where I am pastor. I’m not the leader of the group, simply a student, and I’ve really enjoyed it. Since the group just formed, we are taking some weeks simply to share our life stories. 

Recently, Elli shared her faith journey. Abused in several ways as a child, life was extremely difficult growing up. As a young woman, she had lost her way in life. Sin was abounding, and trouble was mounting. Elli felt she had no value.

Elli’s grandmother was on her deathbed. Elli traveled across multiple states to see her one last time. When Elli arrived, her grandmother spoke simple, beautiful words to her: “I love you.” Elli heard those words, but mostly what she heard was the voice of her heavenly Father, saying, “I love you.” Elli broke. 

Then Elli said it. It’s so consistent with the Scripture. Once she heard the voice of the Lord, once she was in his presence in a very real way, she immediately was struck with the need for repentance. So, she repented! She also turned away from old ways, even turned away from old, broken friendships, in order to follow the life of the One who said, “I love you.”

You see, the kingdom of heaven was near. Repentance was necessary. Turning away from sin was evidence of true repentance. John’s message is as true now as it was then: Repent, the kingdom of heaven is near.

Application ideas for your Bible-study group:

1. Why is repentance necessary for salvation? In Baptist theology, why is repentance necessary but baptism is not necessary for salvation?

2. Why do you believe Jesus was baptized?