Changed Behavior
There were two key parts to John the Baptist's message—repentance and behavior. Both were closely connected. The Greek word John uses for repentance (metanoeo) is a compound word: meta, meaning change, and noeo, meaning thinking. Thus, repentance means to change one's thinking about something.
When John says, " 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near' " (Matt. 3:2, NIV), he is telling the people that the coming kingdom of heaven requires a totally new outlook. In other words, in preparing the people for Jesus' arrival, in preparing the way for the Lord and making "straight paths" for Him (vs. 3, NIV), John was challenging the people to change their world-view and how they live.
Read Luke 3:10-15. What is the essence of John's message here? What is he telling the people? See also James 2:14-26.
One key aspect of repentance was the confessing of sin (Matt. 3:6). The other key aspect was changing behavior according to the principles of the kingdom of heaven (vs. 8). Nothing less could prepare them for Jesus, who would bring a time of refreshing such as they had never seen.
Baptism was closely associated with repentance. In fact, Luke says John preached "a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins" (Luke 3:3, NIV). Being washed in the water symbolized the changed view of life, the fresh start, and the forgiveness of sin.
Although John's strong words offended some people, the Bible indicates that large crowds came to hear him. "People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan" (Matt. 3:5, NIV). But not only did they come and listen, they confessed their sins and were baptized (vs. 6). OK, you believe in God, believe in Jesus, believe that He died for your sins and that you have salvation only through His righteousness credited to you, by faith alone. The question is, How well are you following the principles of righteousness as expressed by John the Baptist? How well does your life reveal the faith that you profess to have?
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