Is the Lord Getting Through, Through Us?
The voice of one crying in the wilderness: prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. (Luke 3:4)
Luke 3:1-4; Isa. 40:3; Matt. 11:7-11; John 1:19-34, 3:27-30
What Is God Saying?
One of the great persons of the Bible, John the Baptist, humbled himself before Jesus, saying, ‘He must increase, I must decrease’ ( Jn. 3:30). Yet Jesus praised him more highly than any other person (Mt. 11:11). Does this underscore the paradox that true humility is true greatness? John was fulfilling prophecy as he lifted his v01ce in the wilderness, preparing the way of the Lord (Isa. 40:3, Jn. 1:23). When a king journeyed to another country, messengers preceded him. They prepared the roads for him. We find a modern example when President Eisenhower visited Afghanistan. The United States paved a route from the airport to Kabul. So, a dignitary of that day had to have a smooth, straight road: no ditches, bumps, or detours.
Preparing the way for Christ, the Lamb of God, John preached repentance. Because they were more curious than repentant, the people flocked to hear this fascinating character. They listened to a strong prophet- no smooth talk or popular preaching. In Eugene Peterson's NT, "The Message" (Navpress, p.108), he exploded, ‘Brood of snakes! What do you think you're doing slithering down here to the river? Do you think a little water is going to deflect God's judgment? It's your life that must change and not your skin.’ The One who could change lives was Jesus, baptized with the Holy Spirit (Jn. 1:33).
How Does This Apply To Us?
People are hungry to know the truth. People are tired of being awash in trivia. People long to find a way out of the moral wasteland of today's culture. We who believe must be a ‘voice in this wilderness.’ Our lives must prepare the way of the Lord in our neighborhoods, clubs, and businesses. If we hear God's call, receive salvation, and are given the riches of glory and even eternal life, we must speak the truth in love with fearless honesty. By life and word, we must ‘prepare the way of the Lord.’
Pray With Me
Heavenly Father, faced with so many crooked paths leading nowhere, my voice cries in the wilderness. A pilgrim, I cry for home. Redeemed, I cry that others may discover the way of truth and blessing. Found, loved, facing the dawn, I cry for the lost, the lonely, the discouraged. May Your way be prepared for them. Many v0ices are raised. Many solutions are offered. Many hopes are stirred, but, Lord, Your way alone leads to life and lasting joy.
I want to be sure your way is not blocked when You reach out to others. I want to eliminate any lack of faith in me that causes Your way to be unprepared. I remember that You can reach others through me if the way is prepared. My voice is weak, my life is imperfect, but I am redeemed, and I want others to know Your salvation. So prepare the way of the Lord through me to others who think the wilderness is all there is.
There are many crooked paths, Lord. Some are inviting. Some are confusing. Some are steep. Some are easy and pleasant, but all lead to destruction unless they lead to You. Let me be a straight path by which You may come to others, and others may come to You.
In the name of Him, who is the way that truly leads to Life. Amen.
Moving On In The Life of Prayer
To pray is not like crying in the wilderness but being like a child confiding in his heavenly Father. It is an oasis where the fever of life is cooled, and the wounds of life are healed. It is a place to be still and know that God is ‘closer than breathing and nearer than hands and feet.’ Prayer helps us to be a voice in the wilderness, a blessing to those who suffer, a friend to those who are lonely, and a caring and sharing presence to those who have yet to be convinced that life is anything more than a wilderness.
