What was Jesus about to do when John the Baptist began preaching?

Les explains that John the Baptist came on the scene in Matthew chapter 3, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, "Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." The reason John said this was because the King was there. Christ was on the scene, and He was about to present Himself to the nation of Israel as their promised Messiah and King. Israel was therefore to prepare for that presentation spiritually through repentance and the baptism of repentance that John preached. Les also notes that the term "kingdom of heaven" is rampant throughout the book of Matthew.