01.03.2017 – New Testament: Matt 3.1–2

To read the Bible in a year, read Matthew 3 on January 3, In the year of our Lord 2017

By Don Ruhl

To the people of Israel, John came out of nowhere as he began preaching in the wilderness, probably finding people and then speaking to them,

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matthew 3.1–2). 

When John did find people and preach to them, you could sum up his message with two points:

1. Repent
2. The kingdom of heaven was at hand

The first point gets repeated in most places of the Bible. Turn from wickedness and embrace righteousness.

Questions:

• Is repentance easy or difficult for you?
• Why do you think that John’s preaching captivated the Jews?