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Scripture:
In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 3:1-2

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17

Observation: John and Jesus use the exact same words ... why?

One answer is obvious, and that is that they were both filled with the Holy Spirit, and thus speaking the word of God, so it must be the same truth - Messiah has arrived, and the kingdom of heaven is therefore at hand on earth.

However, there is something deeper here, and it relates to the mission of John as a prophet. John's mission was explicit - to announce the arrival of Messiah, and to make his paths straight (clear and easy). This is accomplished in John's message: announcing heaven is here, and preparing people for salvation by faith through their repentance and baptism. However, that is the entirety of John's message ... this is it. And while this is the profound good news of Jesus - that salvation requires only faith, so repent and be baptized, just like Peter will proclaim in Acts 2 in about four years - this message is all John really has to say from a teach/preaching perspective.

For Jesus, on the other hand, this is the starting point. This is not the culmination of his message and teaching ... it is the basic starting point. "For salvation, repent, because I am the Messiah, I am here, and it is time to believe in faith."

For every single prophetic word that was every spoken in the Bible, "repent and believe" is the culminating pronouncement. Therefore, for Messiah, "repent and believe" is the obvious starting point to introduce the promise of eternal salvation.

Application: I believe, and I strive to repent daily. This remains at the core of my faith. There are times when I am struggling so much in my daily life, that this is all I have. Clearly, it's enough, because it was all John had. However, on other days I can go so much deeper, and that is the life Jesus really calls us to ... we start with faith, but real living requires another two dozen chapters of learning.

Every day, I will try to go deeper.

Prayer: Lord, I do repent of my old ways. I have truly turned aside from so many thoughts and behaviors, and I try to do so more and more daily. And I do believe, for I firmly know that the kingdom of God is at hand - that Jesus, you live, and you are seated at the right hand of God, and God is on his thrown. Please guide me every deeper in my faith and my walk every day. Amen.