Matthew 3:1-12 introduces John the Baptist as he prepares the way for Jesus. John preached about repentance and how the call to surrender to Jesus was urgent. Repentance is about "turning" or "changing our mind" so that by the grace of God our thoughts and actions begin to resemble those of Jesus and not our sinful desires. The fruit of repentance involves: recognition of sin, contrition or remorse about our sin, requesting or asking God's forgiveness and help, and demonstrating a life changed by God's grace. Lastly, faith and repentance are always linked together. Wherever we see genuine faith we see true repentance.