“In those days, John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”

Matthew 3:1-2

Dear Believer,

How do you prepare for a special guest that will be stopping by for visit? Or for a special event held at your house? This holiday season, we may be guests or we may be guest welcomers. Many of us know that if we will be having a guest or party planned in advance, we make sure we set aside time to clean. We put away any unsightly items, have the kids tidy up their rooms, sweep the dog hair off the floor, vacuum the rugs, dust, and light the candles. We wear our Sunday best, put on a smile and welcome our guests into our space.

The Israelites knew of the coming Messiah. They had been told of Jesus’ coming by many prophets along the way. They had centuries to prepare. In Matthew 3, John the Baptist is that final voice crying out for preparation. And what does he cry out? Repentance. When Jesus begins his ministry in Matthew 4, we see that “From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”. The call for preparation for Jesus, the Kingdom of God, is repentance. He had come in the flesh. He is the salvation of God come to save the nations. His first coming was as a light for the nations, that salvation may reach the ends of the earth. (Is.49:6b)
Isaiah goes on to describe the LORD’s coming salvation in these words:

“The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shone….
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (9:2,6)

This is the Jesus we like to celebrate for Christmas. But are we prepared for his Second coming? Again, God has given us much time to prepare for his second Advent as he did with his first. He is the Special Guest who will be coming to your door. Will your house be in order? Or will he find unconfessed items strewn around your heart? Will you be caught with dirty garments on your body? Jesus has come as our hope and salvation. And he may also come either as your Judge or your Savior. Again, in Isaiah, he describes his second coming as follows:

“For behold, the Lord will come in fire,
and his chariots like the whirlwind,
to render his anger in fury,
and his rebuke with flames of fire.
For by fire will the Lord enter into judgment,
and by his sword, with all flesh;
and those slain by the Lord shall be many.” (66:15-16)

Dear ones, we don’t know exactly when, but we do know that he will definitely come again. This season of Advent, let’s heed the words, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand”. Let’s “draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double -minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourself before the LORD, and he will exalt you” (James 4:8)
Let us prepare our hearts and minds with repentance, allowing God to cleanse and purify us by his refining fire so that we may be found ready when he comes again. For,
“Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.” (Rev.22:14)

So we wait in hopeful anticipation, waiting as a bride for her Groom for the great consummation. Come, Lord Jesus!

The LORD be with you,

Bianca