Today's passage quotes a passage from Isaiah 40, part of which was referenced in John the Baptist's father's prophesy that we are covering soon. These words bear repeating, because their message is so crucial to the story of the Bible. John's preparation of Jews to begin to quicken the bride of Christ is a message that has been echoing through time and continues to this day. The good news he shared—that there was salvation from sin and death through forgiveness made possible by the coming of Christ Jesus and the life, death, and resurrection that would follow—is as true today as it ever was. We are invited to be active participants in that good news, by repenting. When we come to God humble, broken, and contrite, God frees us from sin and restores us to a right standing with Him.

The wording of this passage can be taken two ways: that the voice of one who cries out is in the wilderness (see Luke 3.4) or that the wilderness is the place where the restoration is happening (see Isaiah 40.3). Both are accurate. The message both came from John in the wilderness and also speaks to where the restoration happens, in each of us. Our hearts are the wilderness: wild, untamed, rough, out of place, disjointed, and broken. Yet God is restoring those who seek His forgiveness, pulling us from the brokenness we created when we sinned, and uniting and beautifying us as a single bride in and for Christ Jesus.

For some, these are very familiar words, but as we see through these passages, it is good for this message to echo, to be retold again and again. The message of deliverance, salvation, joy, and hope that are beautifully woven into numerous songs we get to hear this time of year are worth listening to afresh, and giving God glory for all He has and continues to do. Look for opportunities to share this good news with others this week.. May the word of God unite us in His mission of redemption and restoration.

[Luke 3.1-6]

1 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, 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 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. 5 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, 6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ How do the references to Roman and Jewish leaders support the historicity of scripture? [vv. 1-2]

+ Who was verse 3 referring to?

+ How was John's baptism message and ministry fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy? [v. 4]

+ Has Isaiah's prophecy been wholly fulfilled? [vv. 4-6]

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ Are there sins for which you need forgiveness? Are there wrongs others have done to you that God would want you to forgive? What steps can you take this week to realize such forgiveness?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?