Walking with Jesus: Is Repentance Really That Important?

“Now in those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” — Matthew 3:1–2

That one short sentence—“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”—wasn’t just John the Baptist’s message. It was Jesus’ message too. And when Jesus sent His disciples out to preach, it was their message as well. Clearly, God wanted this to be front and center. Obviously, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,’ was an incredibly important message to us from God, BUT it’s been relegated to insignificance by us today.
So, why was repentance such a big deal to Jesus?

Let’s think about it.

If the people who heard John and Jesus really believed that the kingdom—the rule and reign of God—had come near to them, the only right response was repentance. Why? Because repentance isn’t just feeling bad for our sins; it’s humbly admitting that God is right and we’ve been wrong. Repentance is honestly searching your soul and, in brokenness, recognizing that you daily need Jesus to reign over your life…ALL of your life.

Peter puts it simply in 1 Peter 5:5: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
That verse explains everything. God doesn’t want to oppose us. He’s not standing there with crossed arms, waiting for us to mess up. He longs to give us grace—but grace can only flow into a humble heart. That’s why repentance is absolutely essential for anyone who wants a real, saving, joy-filled relationship with Him.

When Jesus truly reigns over your life—not just a part of it, but all of it—something beautiful happens: God’s will starts being done in you, just as it is in heaven. You begin to want what He wants. You stop clinging to your own will and start trusting His. Your whole life changes!

So, when John and Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand,” they weren’t just announcing a coming reality—they were offering an invitation. They were saying, “You don’t have to live under the tyranny of sin, fear, and self anymore. The true King is here. Come live in His freedom.”

Now let’s be honest—what do we really get out of having Jesus as our King?

Well, for starters, He’s not just any king. He’s the Son of God—the One who loved you enough to die for you, paying the full price for all your sins. That means you’ll never have a King who is selfish, harsh, or corrupt. Every command He gives is for your ultimate good. Every challenge He allows is part of His plan to shape you into His likeness (2 Peter 1:3–4).
And as Paul reminds us in Ephesians 1:3–14, with Jesus as King, you’ve already received an eternal inheritance. You’ve been chosen, redeemed, forgiven, and sealed with the Holy Spirit. You’re part of God’s eternal plan to unite all things in Christ. The Spirit Himself lives within you, guiding you, comforting you, and guaranteeing that one day you’ll experience the full riches of heaven with Him forever.

When you stop and think about it… that’s an unbeatable offer.

And it all begins with one humble, beautiful word: repentance.

If this encouraged you, would you share it with one friend who might need it today?

Just a Follower of Jesus,

Alan W. Harris