Provoked

Warriors Arise: June 15, 2023

Matthew 3:1-3 (NKJV) In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.’ ”

I read this passage, "Repent, for the kingdom of heave is at hand!" and think about all the times the prophets of the Old Testament called out to the people to repent. They knew of the cycle of sin the people continued to be enticed by as it was written in the book of Judges. It took the people calling out to God for their bondage to be broken, the exiles to return, and Israelites to return to rule their own country. It has been years, actually centuries since there was a prophet calling the people to repent. There hadn't been a revival compelling the people to return to the Lord in a very long time. This was a different message than what the people were hearing in the temple from the priests. What provoked the people to listen to John?

Why would people go out to the wilderness to listen to John the Baptist? Most people do not like to repent because it means they have to confess their sin. Repentance cannot happen if there is not a confession of sin. Even today, people do not want to go to church or listen to someone tell them they need to repent. We go because we want a surface level message that makes us feel good. What we don't understand is that we always feel better after a shower. John the Baptist was going to lead them to the water, God would clean them up as he dunked them under the water. When we want to feel good, we will confess our sin, repent, go to the water and allow God to clean us up while we are "under." He washes away our sin as we are baptized. John wanted the people to become clean. He saw the need for the people to repent of their sin and be cleansed by God as they received baptism. They would meet God in the water. They would meet God under the water. They would rise up out of the water feeling good, the good they were looking for.

John was fully convinced and accurate that if they would repent, they would experience the kingdom of heaven. The kingdom of heaven was so close. All they had to do was repent of their sin. God would receive each one upon repentance. Ultimately, most people do not want to carry the heavy burden of sin, shame, or guilt. They become such drudgery to carry around each day. People want to have their burdens lifted. John the Baptist knew if the people would repent, they would have their burdens lifted. The process of having their burdens lifted is the kingdom of heaven at hand. The kingdom of heaven was that close.

Why were people provoked to go out to the wilderness to hear John the Baptist? Because they saw the effects of what he preached bringing freedom to their friends and family. They too wanted to have their burdens removed.

Father, I have learned the importance of repenting for my sin. It would be nice if it was a once and done but I did not sin just one time. I continue to sin. I am incredibly thankful You hear my cry. You listen when I turn to You and confess my sin. You remove the burden of sin, guilt, and shame from my life and restore me. You make me whole. I am forever grateful for Your love. I am restored, because Your mercies are new each morning for me and I welcome and receive Your forgives poured out into my life in Jesus' name amen.

A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,

Veridee Joy Hand

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