Five Things We Will Learn
- Why John the Baptist’s message of repentance was preparing the way for the Kingdom of Heaven.
- How repentance is meant to produce visible fruit and transformed living.
- Why Jesus Himself chose to be baptized and what it means for believers today.
- What happened when Jesus came up out of the water and why it reveals a pattern for us.
- How repentance, baptism, and obedience position believers to walk under an open heaven and hear the Father more clearly.
The Wilderness Cry: “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven Has Come Near” (Matthew 3:1-2)
In Matthew chapter 3, the wilderness of Judea becomes a stage for one of the most powerful transitions in human history. John the Baptist appears, preaching a bold message:
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
(Matthew 3:2)
Crowds from Jerusalem, all Judea, and the region around the Jordan flock to him. They confess their sins and are baptized in the Jordan River (Matthew 3:5-6).
John doesn’t offer comfortable religion. He calls for genuine transformation:
“Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.”
(Matthew 3:8)
And he warns the people not to trust in heritage, tradition, or religious identity alone:
“And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.”
(Matthew 3:9)
Even the religious leaders, the Pharisees and Sadducees, come out to see what’s happening. John confronts them directly, urging them to bear real fruit (Matthew 3:7-10). This is no superficial ritual. This is a call to true repentance and preparation for the coming King.
Jesus Steps Into the Water (Matthew 3:13-15)
Then Jesus shows up.
Right in the middle of this move of repentance and baptism, Jesus comes from Galilee to be baptized by John (Matthew 3:13). John tries to stop Him, saying:
“I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
(Matthew 3:14)
But Jesus replies:
“Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.”
(Matthew 3:15)
Jesus had no sin to repent of, yet He still chose obedience. He identified with humanity and demonstrated the pathway of surrender and righteousness.
The Son of God stepped into the same waters as everyone else.
Heaven Opened (Matthew 3:16-17)
As soon as Jesus was baptized and came up out of the water, heaven was opened.
The Spirit of God descended like a dove and landed on Him.
And a voice from heaven said:
“This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
(Matthew 3:17)
This is the pattern:
Repentance prepares the way. Baptism in obedience opens the door. Heaven opens. The Holy Spirit descends. And the voice of the Father is heard.
“When the pattern is right, the glory falls.”
The Pattern Still Applies Today
The same principle applies to us.
When we repent, believe in Jesus, and are baptized in obedience, we step into the reality of an open heaven. The Holy Spirit comes upon us in fresh ways, and we begin to hear the Father’s voice more clearly.
Peter declared:
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”
(Acts 3:19)
Repent and be baptized, and times of refreshing will come upon you too.
If you’ve never taken that step, today is the day.
If you feel dry, return to wholehearted obedience and ask the Father to open the heavens over your life again.
Jesus didn’t just call us to believe in Him—He called us to follow Him.
Step into the life He designed for you through Emmaus Road’s The Commands of Jesus. This is more than learning—it’s an invitation to walk with Him, obey Him, and experience Him in a real and powerful way.
You don’t want to miss this exciting adventure Jesus has called you into.
Start now:
https://GregLancaster.org/StartHere
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