1/1/23 - Change Your Life - Matthew 4:17 - Pastor Jason Fritz

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." -Matthew 4:17

For a good part of 2023, we will be looking at the words of Jesus. Specifically, the things he tells people they should or should not be doing. Now I realize this might not be popular because no one likes being told what to do. At the same time, people are desperately searching for meaning, hope, help and direction. Before Jesus speaks a word there is a surprise introduction. It comes in the form of his cousin John. You might know him as John the baptizer. He called people to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins. This was a new concept for the Jews. Only Gentiles were baptized as they converted to Judaism. But now John is calling everyone to be baptized in recognition that they have a sin problem. John’s ministry was preparation for Jesus and when Jesus arrives he continues the message of John. In fact, the first words recorded by Matthew are these...From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” -Matthew 4:17


Jesus mimics the words of John but he also adds the motivation - “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Jesus often contrasted the heavenly kingdom with the earthly kingdom. The heavenly kingdom is spiritual, eternal and pure. The earthly kingdom is physical, temporary and corrupt. Jesus is inaugurating the heavenly kingdom and if you want to be identified with it, then it begins with repentance. This is the central message that we see all throughout the gospels. It is summarized here in one short, simple verse. Jesus came to preach and his first word recorded by Matthew is, “repent."


Repent literally means, "to change your thinking." Jesus is asking everyone to change their thinking about what is right and what is wrong and what is good and what is evil. Change your thinking about what will give you life and how you get to heaven. Change your thinking about who you are. Repentance begins in the mind but it doesn’t end there. Later, Jesus says this to the religious rulers, "Bear fruit in keeping with repentance." (Matthew 3:8.) In other words, he calls all people to turn from their hypocritical and self-righteous ways. This is the essence of Jesus’ message to you, me, and everyone on earth.

Turn away.

Turn from your sin, turn from yourself, turn from all your attempts to earn your way to God. Turn from your attempts to find fulfillment and turn in all ways from sin, self, and even your good deeds. Do this because the kingdom of God has been brought to earth by Jesus and he is the true king!