PROCLAMATION
“… The Word of God came
to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.
He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of
repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”
Luke 3:2-3 (NIV)
EXPLANATION
These words are from the
gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to Luke, who was a
physician (Colossians 4:14) and a travelling companion of the Apostle Paul.
(Philemon 1:24) After the birth of
Christ, the child grew and became strong in the spirit. He was wise and the grace of God was upon
Him. (Luke 2:40) At the age of twelve He
was able to converse with the temple elders and teachers, and He impressed all
who heard Him with His level of understanding. (Luke 2:42-47) As Jesus, The Christ, grew in age and wisdom and favor with The
Lord God, so did John, the baptizer. At
age thirty, The Word of God came to John (Luke 3:2) and he began to preach in
the wilderness of Judea saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
(Matthew 3:1-2, Mark 1:4-5, and Luke 3:2-3)
This was foretold by the prophet Isaiah. (Isaiah 40:3, Matthew 3:3, Mark
1:3, Luke 3:4, and John 1:23)
APPLICATION
John, the baptizer, went
about in the wilderness of Judea telling the people to repent because the
kingdom of God is at hand. Believers today
need to do likewise in this sin-sick world because the people need to repent
and prepare for the coming of The Lord. The
end of days is closer than we think.
Spread the word in your circle of friends and in your spheres of
influence. Be like that voice crying in
the wilderness. Tell the people, “Repent,
the kingdom of God is near.”
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