When he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:12, 17
You go home from work or from somewhere else. You open the door, switch on the lights. Go after your phone to check voice mails. Your phone announces, “You have no new messages.” Maybe you were anticipating somebody might have called when you were not home. Maybe you were expecting a friend to leave a message at the time you were not able to answer the phone. Maybe you are waiting for your spouse to call or drop a voice note at the time you were outside. And as you reach your finger to the phone set, it says you have no new messages.
John preached, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” When John was imprisoned, Jesus preached, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” The same message. The same direction. The same point. This is the bottom line of the word of God – repent and believe. No new messages. Maybe a new inspiration or a new insight but it’s the same message. Maybe a new speaker or new a preacher but it’s the same message. Maybe a new book or a new blog but it’s the same message. God’s message is for men to turn from sin and believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
Whether you are a young Christian or a mature Christian, repent and believe. You are a pastor or a follower, repent and believe. You are a struggling follower or a strong disciple, repent and believe. Two thousand years ago until now, repent and believe.
You have no new messages.
HEADWIND CANOE 