What causes office politics, strife between people, complaints, selfishness, worthlessness and much of the unhappiness in the world today? John the Baptist was concerned about these issues and His work was preparatory to the ultimate solution. An internal fix was needed to make the world a better place!
In the midst of man’s manipulations and schemes leading to frustration and dead ends, Is. 40:3 predicted that John the Baptist would cry out, “Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand” (Matt. 3:2). A Lexical Aid to the New Testament defines repent as a “change of mind consequent to the after knowledge indicating regret for the course pursued and resulting in a wiser view of the past and future.” It defines “at hand” as “communion with God in prayer and the desired and cherished fellowship with Him.”
People from all over Jerusalem and Judea confessed their sins and were baptized by him in the Jordan River (Matt. 3:1-6). Confess your sins because the kingdom of heaven is here right now.
John challenged the Pharisees and Sadducees to flee wrath and produce fruit because of repentance. They could not hide behind Abraham since every tree that did not produce fruit would be thrown in the fire (Matt. 3:7-10). Understand the evilness of sin as the first step toward fruitfulness.
John baptized with water for repentance as preparatory work. Christ came with the Holy Spirit and fire to cleanse people from sin (Matt. 3:11-12). The Holy Spirit burns impurities from our lives.
John wanted to be baptized by Jesus. After John baptized Jesus and He came out of the water, heaven opened and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on Him. A voice from heaven said, “This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:13-17). The Holy Spirit magnifies Christ so you can see Him in all His splendor and majesty.
Our own schemes and human reason result in frustration. When we repent of selfish ways, we allow God to remove worthless and deceptive things from our lives. Meditating on God’s word releases the Holy Spirit so we can know His love intimately.
Begin to meditate on these Scriptures each day and pray that the Holy Spirit purifies you from anything worthless or deceptive and see how He magnifies Christ to you.
