Jesus' Command #1 - Repent

Matthew 4:17 - From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven has come near."

It's interesting to me that this is the first command recorded of Jesus and it's the first thing we must do when we come to him; admit our wrong to Him and turn from it.

It also says, "from that time on...".  Does that mean that was the main focus of His preaching?

Before Jesus began his public ministry, John the Baptist was preaching the exact same thing.  Reference Matthew 3:1-3.  The bible says that he was "preparing the way" for Jesus.

When Peter preached in Acts 2, he said, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ or the forgiveness of sins.  And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."  This clearly tells us that repenting is the first step in turning to, and following Jesus.

In the original Greek repent means to turn around; used in the spiritual sense it is to change your mind.  Make an about face and turn away from your sin and turn toward Jesus.  To change your mind about Jesus; instead of walking away from Him; doing a 180 and walking toward Him.

I'm trying to be practical as I go through this list of commands, so how do we make this practical?  Have I repented?  Yes, I've changed my direction and turned toward Jesus and am following Him.  Have you?