“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 ancient days the roads were often rough, rocky, and filled with obstructions. The kings and aristocrats would send men ahead of them to “prepare the way.” Remove any obstructions, smooth out rough places and grade out any high places. This would hasten the coming of the king.
John the Baptist was the voice crying in the wilderness; preaching repentance for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Through his preaching, he was to prepare the hearts of men and women for the coming of the Lord. The message of repentance is turning away from sin. It is a turning of heart, a turning of mind, a turning of all of who you are. A call to leave off your sinful ways to follow the ways of righteousness. This was John’s baptism, the baptism of repentance. As he preached, the people would flock to him. Picture in your mind this man clothed in camel’s hair. This wild man of the wilderness who rejected the traditions of the Jews and stood on the banks of the Jordan River, offering hope to those who would hear. Proclaiming the coming of Messiah. The deliverer. Like the Jewish Mikveh, the water of baptism was to symbolize washing, cleansing, purity and pardon. However, without a sincere heart of faith, it would only begat a wet sinner. However if they confessed and turned, God would grant them pardon and they would then be a prepared vessel for the coming of the Lord. To borrow an analogy from a much-respected preacher I know, when a home is bought, it must be swept and cleaned before moving in. No one wants to live in a dirty house. So, the heart needs the same in preparation for the Master. 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; we cannot serve two masters. Therefore, preparation is needed. The house must be first cleaned up, sins of the past washed away, and a resolute desire to serve him instilled. Then, and only then, can it be a fit, prepared vessel for the habitation of the Holy Ghost.
Repentance is that preparation, it is that cleaning; it is the remission and pardon for sins past, coupled with the resolve, determination, action to pursue righteousness. It is believing that you can be cleansed because of the Christ who died. Died for you. It is the desire for Jesus in one’s life. When you repent, God forgives, and in that act of grace brought about by your faith God ready’s your heart for the habitation of the Lord. It is not for your glory, but for His. He ready’s you for the Holy Ghost to come and live inside.
