People from Jerusalem and from all of Judea and all over the Jordan Valley went out to see and hear John [the Baptist]. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.
—Matthew 3:5-6 NLT
There is something self-revealing in God's word when presented in all of its liberating and uncomfortable truth. God had warned his people many years earlier through Amos that there would be a famine for God's word, a time when the voice of God through the prophets would go silent. John was the re-awakening of God's voice through a prophet. There was a clarity and ring of truth in his convicting message. He called people to a life-change through the confession of sins and baptism. People flocked to hear him, and then changed their lives based on his message from God. John was not in a convenient location. He didn't have money or power to gain an audience. What was John's attraction? It was that God's voice was recognizable in his preaching. The famine was over! People flocked to feed on the truth of God!
Holy and righteous Father, give me a love for your truth and a passion for your word. Through your Spirit, please enable me to understand and apply your truth in my daily life. In the name of my Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2021 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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—Matthew 3:5-6 NLT
Key Thought
There is something self-revealing in God's word when presented in all of its liberating and uncomfortable truth. God had warned his people many years earlier through Amos that there would be a famine for God's word, a time when the voice of God through the prophets would go silent. John was the re-awakening of God's voice through a prophet. There was a clarity and ring of truth in his convicting message. He called people to a life-change through the confession of sins and baptism. People flocked to hear him, and then changed their lives based on his message from God. John was not in a convenient location. He didn't have money or power to gain an audience. What was John's attraction? It was that God's voice was recognizable in his preaching. The famine was over! People flocked to feed on the truth of God!
Today's Prayer
Holy and righteous Father, give me a love for your truth and a passion for your word. Through your Spirit, please enable me to understand and apply your truth in my daily life. In the name of my Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Ⓒ 1996-2021 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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