3 John went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 4 as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,
"The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
5 Every valley shall be filled,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall be made straight,
and the rough ways made smooth;
6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God’" Luke 3:3-6.
In v.3 above John the Baptist, following the birth of Christ, proclaims a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. “Baptism,” “forgiveness,” and “repentance” all come together in a single act of John. John is baptizing everyone – Jews and Gentiles. To repent John means to turn back from sin, and John was calling everyone to do this. The Jews were “clean” as descendants of Abraham, cleaned after studying the Torah, cleaned from circumcision, and cleaned from ritual baths. But now John was saying that sin required that everyone be baptized. John’s message is clear: forgiveness is available from God for everyone, but no one can be forgiven without repentance.
I remember Billy Graham always spoke publicly in this same manner, that we are all called to repent of our sins if we expect the forgiveness of God. As we move into this new year of 2024, certainly repentance is a great way to look at how we wish to live this new year. Consider in prayer what you need to repent, and do it! Join me in asking God to forgive our sins, and then let us repent of our sins and ask for mercy and forgiveness. As John proclaimed, repentance is for the forgiveness of sins.
Remember that John was a Prophet, and as such he came holding up a mirror for all of us to gaze into. What we see is the need to repent for the forgiveness of sins.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.
From the Bible:
“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out” Acts 3:19.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” 1 John 1:9.
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” 2 Peter 3:9.
“From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” Matthew 4:17.
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