January 27
"In the high-priesthood of Annas and Ca'iaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechari'ah in the wilderness; and he went into all the region about 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, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." -Luke 3:2-4 (RSV)
John the Baptist may seem to appear from nowhere in the New Testament but his appearance shouldn't surprise us as he was not only Jesus' cousin but he was the son of Elizabeth and Zechariah Luke has already written about in the beginning of his gospel. John's preaching fulfilled the last prophecy in the OT from Malachi 4:2 that "for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings." When John began his mission he prophesied that through Jesus, the dawn was about to break with light for all in sin's darkness (Lk1:76-79). His desert appearance surprised his contemporaries but John quickly became wildly popular. In fact he was so popular government officials feared he may lead a revolt and soon started plotting ways to eliminate him.
However, John insisted he was unimportant and only a "messenger". In John's day, before a king would take a trip, messengers would tell those he was planning to visit to fix the roads for him. Similarly John told his listeners to make their lives ready so the Lord could visit them. John the Baptist called everyone to prepare to meet Jesus. That includes us, no matter our nationality, social standing, religious affiliation, or political position. God is still calling all people to God through John's message. Don't let feelings of unworthiness cause you to hold back. No one who wants to follow Jesus is rejected in God's Kingdom. This doesn't mean you have to be free of all sin or wrongdoing before you can accept Christ. Rather, when you accept Jesus, he will help you turn sinful shortcomings to salvation. To "prepare the way" means clearing aside baggage of the past and doubts of the present in order to let God live as King in your heart and life. Christ's blessings follow.
Prayer: Jesus, Prepare my heart for God to be King. Amen.
Meditation For The Day: God's roads are always open to me.
Brief Devotions For Busy Lives: Daily Winter Renewal Paperback – November 25, 2017, by Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson (Author)
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