Kingdom of Heaven

Matthew 3:1-3

Growing up, my siblings and I would often use the phrase, "I repent in dust and ashes." We liked the saying, but we never took it very seriously. "oh, I stepped on your toe? Well, I repent in dust and ashes."

In Matthew 3, John calls people to repent. This is no light "I made a mistake" "dust and ashes" kind of repentance, but a profound change in our life. It's a change that makes us recognize our spiritual poverty (Matthew 5:3), makes us do God's will (Matthew 7:21), and makes us more childlike (Matthew 18:3) among many things.

The kingdom of heaven is both earthly and heavenly. It starts here and keeps going. Jesus was the beginning note of that kingdom--that will be sung for eternity.

In reference to John, Matthew quoted Isaiah as saying: 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him'" (Matthew 3:3). Lord prepare my heart and make a straight path to it, so you can easily enter.