“In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming 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.
Every valley shall be filled,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall become straight,
and the rough places shall become level ways,
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”
“He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father…’ Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.'” Luke 3:1-9
Dr. Luke’s recording of Scripture was as exact as his mind thought. He pinpointed the civil and religious and chronological setting as a backdrop for the onset of John’s unique ministry and announcement. As John received word from God three decades into his life, so he promptly proclaimed the prophetic message: ‘Repent, prepare for the Lord, bear fruit.’ Knowing well the terrain of location and logic, he would do what he could to deflect all attention to Jesus and make the path straight for His life-changing salvation. (Luke 3:15-17; John 1:6-8,19-29)
We all live in a specific day and time, planted when and where we are to know the Lord and make Him known. We also dwell in a cultural wilderness, an alien temporary home as we await our heavenly one. It is exactly here that we are called to be a voice, to announce Jesus’s forgiveness and urge works exemplifying salvation. All results for ourselves and our hearers are up to the Holy Spirit, we must simply do our part. (Luke 3:18-20; Acts 17:26-28)
Where has the Lord planted us at present? What family with varying ages and opinions and needs? What neighborhood, workplace, community with their attending structural and relational issues? Are we in a wilderness of health, marriage, or inspiration? What tensions, anxieties, temptations darken the atmosphere around us? How is the word of the Lord coming through as light in the very place we’re situated?
When we tune in to God’s voice above the clamor, what is His message to us? DO we look and listen until we know what He’s saying? What promises encourage and fortify, what commands goad action? How attentive and prompt are we as the Lord speaks to do what He says? In our time and place, where, how, and to whom are we preparing the way for salvation? (Esther 4:14; Isaiah 33:6)
Lord, help me understand the times and my call, and faithfully serve and speak to Your bidding and glory.
As the rain and snow 