“And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” – Matthew 3:2-3
In the days of old, before kings and royalty would travel it was custom for them to send servants to “prepare the way.” The servants would fill in any potholes, remove existing debris, and strive to do anything and everything they could to make the way passable for the coming of the king. They would prepare the way.
The heart is in need of the same in preparation for the one true king Jesus. When we are in sin we are unfit for the Holy Spirit’s habitation, we are unworthy for the coming of the Lord (which is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit). We are unfit because he is Holy and we are not. We are unfit because He wants to lead us to righteousness, and we want our own way. There is a major blockade in the way therefore preparation is needed. The way must be cleared, sins of the past removed, and a resolute desire to serve him instilled. Then, and only then, can we be a fit vessel for the habitation of the Holy Ghost. John the Baptist was the voice crying in the wilderness; preaching repentance for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. The message of repentance, the need for recognition of wrongdoing, confession, and resolve to follow after righteousness; it struck the hearts of many of the hearers. Particularly those who had been neglected by the religious elite of that day. The people needed help. They needed a Savior, and John's preaching prepared the way. John’s baptism, the baptism of repentance was that preparation. Real repentance will produce a real conversion, and a converted heart is prepared for the coming of Jesus in the form of the Holy Spirit.
When you repent, you will receive pardon for sins that you committed. It creates a clean slate. God forgives, and in that act of grace brought about by your faith in Christ, your heart is now fit for the habitation of the Lord. The baptism of the Holy Spirit. Sanctification. You will find that Christ will sanctify wholly on the other side of complete surrender. Total sacrifice of all of who you are. This is not for your glory, but for His, and a sanctified person loves to have it so. He is ready to send the Holy Ghost to come and live within you. Are you willing to repent? To live for Christ? To invite the Savior in? Thereby making you a sanctified vessel, meet for the Master’s use.
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