The Gospel Of Matthew Chapter 3 Part 1 Repent Of Sin & Prepare Your Heart

Here is a note about indexes containing all Bible lessons posted on this blog since its inception in 2019. 

An index for all lessons posted from 2019 through 2021, was published on September 7, 2022.

An index for all lessons posted in 2022, was published January 24, 2023.

An index for all lessons posted in 2023 was posted on February 28, 2024. 

The index for all lessons posted in 2024 was published on January 21,2025. 

Each index contains the dates and titles of lessons that we studied together. 

I pray that this is a helpful resource for each of our Readers. 

What is the gospel? The gospel includes everything about the life of Jesus Christ on this earth.

This means that the gospel includes the records of all four evangelists.

This means that sharing the gospel as Christ commanded His disciples to do, means sharing the complete gospel record of the life of Jesus Christ. 

Sharing the gospel means more than telling others why Jesus came. 

It means telling them how Jesus came. 

It means telling others what Jesus did and what He taught. 

It means telling others about His suffering, death, burial, resurrection and ascension to the Father.

This is why we must read and study the gospels so that we can share words of life with those who are not yet born again.

During the history of this blog, we studied through the gospel of John and now we are studying Matthew's record.

John the Baptist was Christ's forerunner calling all to repentance.

Matthew 3:1-3  In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2)  And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 3)  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. 

The phrase "in those days" is frequently used to point out a factual historical event that occurred in the past.

It communicates true realities from the past that impacted the people of God.

Two thirds of the references are found in the Old Testament scriptures.

Matthew reminds us that he recorded, under the guidance of God's Spirit, factual events connected to the life of Jesus Christ.

We are introduced to a man named John the Baptist. Who is this man and how does he connect with Jesus Christ?

John the Baptist went before Christ in the spirit and power of Elijah.

Luke 1:12-17  And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 13)  But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. 14)  And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. 15)  For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. 16)  And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. 17)  And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. 

Zacharias was a priest ministering before the Lord when he saw the angel of the LORD.

Zacharias was troubled and afraid but the angel told him "fear not" because God heard both Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth's prayers.

She was barren and they had prayed long and hard for a son from the LORD.

The angel told Zacharias that Elizabeth would bear a son and they were to name him John.

Then the angel said that this boy would grow up to be greatly used by God.

John would be filled with the Holy Ghost to go forth and turn the hearts of a wayward people back to the LORD.

He is described as "going before him" where the word "him" refers to Messiah.

Thus, John would go before Christ to turn the hearts of the people to God and to prepare them for Messiah's arrival.

John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of the prophet Elijah. 

The prophet Elijah is one of the most interesting and colorful people in the Bible.

God used him during an important time in Israel’s history to oppose a wicked king and bring revival to the land.

Elijah’s ministry marked the beginning of the end of Baal worship in Israel.

Elijah’s life was filled with turmoil.

Elijah was considered a model prophet by the Jewish people just as David is seen as the model king.

In other words, John the Baptist is a very important figure in the life of Christ.

Gospel preaching calls for repentance, preparing for the kingdom of God.

Matthew 3:1-3  In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2)  And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 3)  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. 

Notice the place John began preaching. 

The place where he appeared first was in the wilderness of Judea. 

It was not uninhabited desert but a part of the country with less population. 

It was less accessible with somewhat harsher conditions like a wilderness. 

Spiritually, this pictures the world of sin as a wilderness.

Preaching the word is compared to preparing and planting a field anticipating a harvest of souls.

Thus the prophet declares that six different kinds of trees will one day thrive in the wilderness (See Isaiah 41:19).

Isaiah again tells us that the wilderness will blossom with joy, singing and the presence of the glory of Jehovah (See Isaiah 35:1-2).

Therefore, John came preaching in the power and spirit of Elijah a message of repentance and God coming to His people.

The word translated "preaching" means publicly proclaiming the gospel and matters pertaining to it.  

John the Baptist, Jesus, His apostles and leaders in the church all preached the gospel.

Repentance is a major theme of gospel preaching.

The word translated "repent" means to change one’s mind for the better, to heartily change one's behavior with abhorrence of past sins.

Repentance is when we hear the gospel and experience real sorrow or deep contrition for sin. 

Repentance is when we truly recognize our sin as an offense to God, a violation of His holy law. 

This is called evangelical repentance, and is accompanied by a radically changed life.

Repentance is a change of mind, or a conversion from serving sin to loving and serving God.

Matthew is the only evangelist to use the phrase "The kingdom of heaven" which is used 33 times in his gospel record.

The Kingdom of Heaven is "at hand," meaning it has drawn very near to mankind. 

This phrase refers to the prophecy of Daniel where the reign of Christ  is expressly foretold (See Daniel 7:13-14). 

This phrase announces the dispensation of infinite mercy, the manifestation of eternal truth by Christ Jesus. 

The kingdom of heaven produces the true knowledge of God, accompanied with pure and holy worship worthy of God.

But why is this called a kingdom? 

Because it has laws and moral precepts laid down by the King (See Matthew 5-7). 

It has subjects, all those who believe in Christ Jesus. 

It has a King, Jesus Christ, the omnipotent, omniscient Sovereign of heaven and earth. 

This kingdom reminds us that God created all things, sustains all life and has the right to govern us.

But why is it called the kingdom of Heaven? 

Because God designed that His kingdom of grace here should resemble the kingdom of glory above. 

Thus, our Lord teaches us to pray, "Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven." 

When Christ rules and reigns on earth, the will of the Father will be done on earth just as it is in heaven. 

Jewish leaders wanted a military Messiah to overthrow Rome and they asked Jesus when this kingdom was going to be established.

Jesus' reply was that the kingdom of God does not come with marching armies and weapons.

Jesus said "the kingdom of God is within you" meaning that this kingdom is spiritual in nature, until Christ returns to earth in the Day of the LORD judgment (See Luke 17:20-21). 

The kingdom of heaven is not meat and drink according to the apostle Paul (See Romans 14:17). 

God's kingdom does not center on gratifying sensual passions, or pursuing worldly ambition. 

It is a kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy, in the Holy Ghost.

The kingdom of heaven will have righteousness without sin, peace without strife. joy without misery! 

All this is possible by the grace of God changing us when we repent and equipping us to enjoy His rule in our hearts. 

What would you do if you knew the kingdom of God was going to be established today?

What would you immediately change? 

How would you prepare to meet the eternal King of kings?

Questions like these are the aim of saying the kingdom of heaven is "at hand."

Matthew connects John's preaching with the prophecy of Isaiah. 

John was an Elijah like figure who was a voice in the wilderness crying out with a message of repentance and preparation for a coming King.

An eastern king usually sent workers out to prepare roads for his passage by making them smooth, removing obstacles or filling in holes. 

Morally, God is calling people to repent of their sins and to turn to Him for salvation.

Our ways must be properly prepared and our paths straight and true. 

Deuteronomy 8:6  Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.

Psalm 23:3  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 

Psalm 25:4-5  Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. 5)  Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

Psalm 119:59  I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. 

Psalm 119:105  NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. 

These texts show how our ways and our paths are compared to the ways and paths of God.

He calls us to seek out His ways and to walk on His paths. 

Therefore, the gospel calls sinners to repentance and to earnest heart preparation. 

The word "prepare" means preparing the minds of men to give the Messiah a fit reception and secure His blessings

The way of Jehovah is what a sinful people must be prepared for.

Make His paths straight refers to pursuing a close walk with the LORD at a personal, individual level. 

The word "paths" refers to a well worn track following the paths of righteousness.

Making them straight refers to an immediate stoppage of sin and an immediate obedience of God's commands.

It means to walk in the straight and narrow ways of God's truth, righteousness and holiness. 

John's preaching of repentance and God's kingdom bring comfort to those who obey.

Isaiah 40:1-5  Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. 2)  Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins. 3)  The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4)  Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: 5)  And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. 

Isaiah's prophecy is fulfilled by John the Baptist's ministry.

His preaching was intended to bring comfort to God's redeemed people. 

John's words were directed to the Jews but preaching the gospel was broadened by Christ to include the whole world (See Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8).

This teaches us important truths about the gospel.

First, we are to faithfully proclaim it like John the Baptist did.

Second, the idea of preaching it in the wilderness reminds us that the gospel will change lives and will bear fruit in converted sinners, even in a desolate and morally bankrupt culture like ours. 

Third, we see that the gospel contains words to comfort those who hear it.

The word gospel means good news and we must tell sinners that they are under the judgment and condemnation of God.

We must show them that God provided a perfect substitute to atone for their sins, which is Christ Jesus.

We must share the good news that Jesus came to seek and save the lost and that He will save anyone who turns to Him with repentant faith. 

May these truths bless and encourage us to be His faithful witnesses.

Bob