THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS

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.”

THE WORD OF GOD CAME TO JOHN THE BAPTIZER AND TO US

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.  As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: ‘A voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way for The Lord …’”  Luke 3:2-4 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Luke, the physician and frequent travelling companion of the Apostle Paul.  In this chapter Luke presents the beginning of ministry of John, the baptizer.  Luke identifies the time period by naming the leaders who were ruling at the time. (Luke 3:1-2)  Then he states that when The Word of God came to John while he was in the wilderness, that he got busy working for The Lord. (Luke 3:3)  His message was clear, “Repent, the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3:2)  Luke noted that John’s preaching in the wilderness fulfilled the prophesy which was written by the prophet Isaiah. (Isaiah 40:3)  John not only baptized people but he also told them what they must do to produce good fruit in keeping with repentance. (Luke 3:7-14)  Many thought that he was the Messiah but he made it clear that he was not Him. (Luke 3:15-17)  Luke ends this chapter by recounting the lineage or genealogy of Jesus, The Christ, back to David, and continuing back to Abraham, and then all the way back to Adam.

Application:

Unfortunately, today too many believers are just “bench members” in church.  We pray when we get up, when we go to bed, and before we eat, and we attend worship services on Sunday.  The Lord God has kingdom building work for each of us to do.  Who did we share The Word of God with this past week?  What good work did we do that men might see and give God glory? (Matthew 5:16)  The Lord God has given each one of us a gift (1 Corinthians 12:7-11) which we are to use for His glory.  When The Word of God came to John, the baptizer, he got busy working for The Lord.  What did you do when The Word of God came to you?  Kingdom building is not just for preachers, all of us have work to do.