Preparing the way!
Scripture reading for January 3: Matthew 3
“In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness; ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight.'”. . .”Then Jerusalem and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.” Matthew 3:1-3,5-6
The Scriptures of the Jews taught about the coming of the Messiah, a descendant of King David. The Jews had a messianic expectation from the Law of Moses and the prophets. In the days of John the Baptist, the Jewish nation was in servitude to Rome and under foreign domination. Their messianic hopes were not at the forefront of their world-view. After four hundred years of prophetic silence, God sent John as a ‘voice’ crying in the wilderness. He called the people of Israel to repentance and faith. He called them to water baptism, usually reserved for converts to Judaism, as a humble confession of their sins and need of cleansing. This was to prepare them for the coming King, Jesus, and His kingdom,
The scribes and Pharisees, religious leaders, came to observe and criticize John. John called them out for their pride and warned them of their own need to repent to prepare the way for their Messiah. John challenged their world-view and the culture of their religion to break through their pride. God is still working today to reach the religious and prideful.
Are you currently listening to a ‘voice’ God has sent to call you to repentance? What sins are you willing to confess and forsake? Have you been baptized in water in obedience to Jesus Christ? What step of humility can you take to respond to God’s Voice?
Prayer: Father, thank You for sending out Your people as Your ‘Voice’ crying in my wilderness. Thank You for the ultimate ‘Voice,” Jesus Christ, Who plainly is calling me to repentance and faith. Help me to break through my pride and religious culture. Lead me to humility and true repentance. Amen.
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