Preparing the Way of the Lord!
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, John the Baptist looked and acted differently than the people around him, and yet he chose to follow Your will for his life, rather than fit in. I pray that You will show me where I need to stand out from the crowd of the world around me, so that I, too, may follow Your will in my life. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God’s Word Today
Matthew 3:1-12
1In those days John the Baptist began preaching in the Judean wilderness. His message was, 2“Turn from your sins and turn to God, because the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” 3Isaiah had spoken of John when he said,
“He is a voice shouting in the wilderness:
‘Prepare a pathway for the Lord’s coming!
Make a straight road for him!’”
4John’s clothes were woven from camel hair, and he wore a leather belt; his food was locusts and wild honey. 5People from Jerusalem and from every section of Judea and from all over the Jordan Valley went out to the wilderness to hear him preach. 6And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.
7But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to be baptized, he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee God’s coming judgment? 8Prove by the way you live that you have really turned from your sins and turned to God. 9Don’t just say, ‘We’re safe—we’re the descendants of Abraham.’ That proves nothing. God can change these stones here into children of Abraham. 10Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever your roots. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.
11“I baptize with water those who turn from their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is far greater than I am—so much greater that I am not even worthy to be his slave. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12He is ready to separate the chaff from the grain with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, storing the grain in his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.”
Reflecting on God's Word
What is the most significant way that you stand out from those around you, because of your commitment to Jesus?
A Deeper Exploration of God's Word
How did John the Baptist stand out from those around him in his own day? (3:4)
Understanding God's Word
Why do you think that John’s dress and eating habits were like that of Old Testament prophets—particularly Elijah?
What do we find out about “preparing the way of the Lord” from this text?
Applying God's Word to Our Lives
What habits do you need to develop that others may consider “odd” in order to serve Jesus more fully?
Thoughts...John's Unusual Taste in Clothing and Food!
When we wear that John wore a camel hair “suit” and a leather belt around his waist, and that he ate locusts and wild honey, we may wonder, “Why?” The simple answer is that John’s dress was that of some of the more extreme Old Testament prophets. They were undoubtedly rather “wild” looking, and as was the case with John many of them spent a lot of time in the wilderness or desert. John’s upbringing was devoid of many of the distractions that were found even in his day, since he lived in the wilderness or desert his whole life. Some of the imagery he used in his preaching seems to have sprung from his life there. In any case, John’s clothing and food were indicative of those prophets of God who were most concerned with hearing God, and telling the truth, regardless of the consequences. For John, telling the truth was ultimately the reason for his earthly demise, as he told King Herod that he had no right to take his brother’s wife—which Herod had done, so Herod had him arrested. As with many of God’s true prophets, John shows us the meaning of integrity. He chose to be imprisoned and die rather than ignore the truth!