From our Pastor

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      Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven Is Near

       Matthew 3:1-12                                 December 8/9, 2007

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      John the Baptist had a simple, straightforward message:  “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven has come near.”  What does it mean that the Kingdom of Heaven has come near?  Does that mean that the end of the world is coming, that the earth is about to pass away?  I suppose that’s possible.  That kind of thinking, though, thinks of heaven as some physical place out in space somewhere that has come close to earth, like alignment of two celestial bodies coming unusually close to one another.  If some big asteroid was hurtling toward earth, that would be another reason for considering the end of the world.  Is the Kingdom of Heaven near in that sense?                  

        If so, John the Baptist is right.  We should repent.  We should confess our sins, and receive a right standing with God so that we’re ready at the end.        

       But as we consider what he means that the Kingdom of Heaven has come near, think about how John the Baptist had the responsibility to prepare the way of Lord.  John the Baptist has the responsibility to prepare the way for Jesus.  Where Jesus is, where God is, there is the Kingdom of Heaven.  The Kingdom of Heaven is all about being in God’s presence.  It’s all about being so delightfully close to God, one with him, at peace with God, complete and whole with God.  That’s Heaven.  So John says that the Kingdom of Heaven has come near.  He’s probably talking about how Jesus has come near.  After all, Jesus was in the area.  He would be coming by shortly.  He had already been born, he had already come into the world; he had already come into the region of the Jordan River, where John was baptizing, because it would be very shortly when John the Baptist would introduce people to Jesus. 

          But we’re thinking physical proximity, once again.  It’s nice to be physically close to God, but since God is everywhere, physical closeness is not the most important thing we’re talking about being close to God.  By the way, we’re talking about God having come close to us!  “Repent, because the Kingdom of God has come near.”  God has come near.  While physical closeness was certainly part of John’s message, much more important was that message that Jesus has come to live in our hearts. 

          How close is your closest friend?  I’m not talking about your spouse, but your closest friend, other than a spouse.  Does your friend live in the same town as you?  That’s a whole lot closer than living far, far away in another state or another country.  But your friend would be a whole lot closer if they lived not only in town, but in the same area of town that you live in, or better yet in the same neighborhood.  It would be even closer if your friend lived right on the same street, or even next door!  But if you think that’s close, what about living in your home?  That’s close!

          Jesus wants to come so much closer to you.  Jesus wants to be so very, very, close:  much closer than your best friend could ever be.  Jesus not only wants to live in your home, he desires to live in your heart.   Are we ready for that?  As much as you may be very close to your friend, would you be ready for your friend to move into your home? 

          It’s an interesting thing.  Who could be any closer to you than your own family?  But when a family member is going to come and live with you, preparations need to be made.  When a child is about to come into the family, especially the first child, there are some adjustments that need to be made.  There needs to be room made for the baby to sleep, to be changed, room for clothes and diapers, and all the paraphernalia that goes along with taking care of a baby.  Our daughter, Katie, will be coming home for college.  After 19 years of having her in the house, you think we’d be ready for that.  And we are eager for her to come home.  But we’ll have to make room… the things that are stored in her bedroom will have to be moved to make room for her.  We have to make room for her. 

          How do you make room for Jesus to come into the most intimate place of all?  How do you prepare for Jesus to come home to your heart?  You have to make room for him.  There’s not room for Jesus and another god in your heart.  It reminds me of the old western movie, when one gunslinger says to the other, ‘there ain’t room in this town for the both of us!’  Jesus doesn’t threaten.  That’s not his way.  He loves us too much for threats.  He wants to live within our hearts, and to do so, the only way he’ll come that close, is that we have to put him first.  John the Baptist tells us how to prepare the way for Jesus to come home to our hearts.  “Repent, because the Kingdom of Heaven has come near.”  The word “repent” means “change your mind.”  Think differently.  Think about God first and last and in between.  Think about God most and highest and with joy and enthusiasm.  Think of God, love God, and put away the other gods: the things that were more important to you, the sins that so easily become a part of our lives.  Think differently.  Do not be deceived by Satan or your own flesh by thinking that you must do these things.  Think about Jesus, think about his love.  Think about how you have hurt him and confess your sins.  Confession is always the first step repentance.  The twelve steps that were made famous by Alcoholics Anonymous and used in other recovery programs as well, has been very effective.  They’re based on Christian principles.  And this principle of confession makes up a full four of AA's 12 steps.  With God’s healing and forgiveness coming on the heels of confession for all who believe in him, there is great power in confession. 

          Jesus has already come near.  He desires to be with us.  He loves us, the evidence of which is that he has come near.  Prepare the way of the Lord.  Prepare the way into your heart.  Repent. Change your mind.  Think all about God.  Think about living your life for him.  Live in a way that shows that God has changed you.  Or as John the Baptist put it, “make fruit worthy of repentance.” (8) Do not think, I’ll be saved because I come from a good family, or I’ll be saved because Grandma believed or something like that?  If you’re thinking that way, change the way you think.  Think rather of the love of God, which moved him to pay for our sins.  Think about Jesus who saves us through faith in him. 

          Make fruit worthy of repentance.  What kind of fruit does an apple tree make?  Apples.  What kind of fruit does an orange tree make?  Oranges.  What kind of fruit does a Christian make?  Christians!  We don’t make Christians by ourselves; any more than a fruit tree, by itself, is able to reproduce itself.  It needs soil, and water, and the seed needs to be planted. 

          Make fruit worthy of repentance.  Plant seeds.  Tell the good news of Jesus.  Lead a life that produces what God is calling you to do.  What a joy that is!  What a joy to live for our Lord, to make a difference is other’s lives, to see the Holy Spirit make the seeds we plant grow. 

          Change the way you think.  Quit thinking about how to fulfill the desires of the sinful flesh.  Think about God and his love.  Think about producing fruit worthy of repentance.  Think about people being brought to faith.  Because… the Kingdom of God has come near.  Jesus himself has come near, and wants to live in your heart!

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MOUNT OLIVE LUTHERAN CHURCH

2001 N. Alpine Rd.

Rockford, IL  61107  

815-399-3171

Pastor Ken Krause: kkrause@mtolivelutheran.com