Read Luke 3:1-6 SOAP Luke 3:5-6
Before John the Baptist, a prophetic voice had not been heard for 400 years. John broke the silence about the Messiah. I'm sure many were stunned at this message or amazed that they were priveleged enough to see their Messiah finally come. Luke quotes Isaiah 40:3 here. A king who was about to travel in wilderness regions would send a crew of workmen before him to remove the debris and fill in potholes, thus "preparing the way." In much the same way, John challenges the people to prepare their hearts for the Messiah.
Matthew Henry says, "Way is made for the gospel into the heart by taking down high thoughts and bringing them into obedience to Christ, by levelling the soul and removing all that hinders us in the way of Christ and His grace." The legalistic hypocrisy from the Jews had spiritually weakened the nation. They now needed to plow the soil of their hearts, allowing Christ to plant His truth there.
Father, help me to break up the fallow ground of my heart, preparing for you to work your truth into my life. Forgive me for my pride and attempts to achieve great things on my own. Help me completely rely on your power.
Here's a song taken directly from this passage! See the video below
Comment below
I love these verses because they speak of hope, comfort and blessings for a glorious future to those who love the Lord. Knowing that our total beings one day will be filled with glory of the Lord and we shall behold Him is a day I am very much looking forward to. These scriptures also are spoken in Isaiah 40:4-5, of the coming Messiah which gave hope for all mankind that sin one day would be defeated by the cross of His death and His resurrection. I know that my application of these verses is that they are to be a cornerstone that cannot be moved out of my life, and with a prayerful heart that He would consume me with His great love.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, I am so thankful for God’s written word penned down on paper throughout all centuries that at some point in time it would travel to me. Of course Luke didn’t know as he wrote these words by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit how far they would travel. Isn’t that great? What love God has for us, that almost two thousand years later a servant of the Lord would read these verses and feel this humbleness and be comforted by them. I am blessed to live in this nation and be able to study the things that I do. I have no fear of persecution because I am a Christian, but we have many in the world that cannot say that. So if you can sometime today, join me in prayer for our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ, and maybe some of the them will read these same scriptures that you and I have and be comforted by them.
#thankful
I loved the video Fawn!!
DeleteThe video brings the words to life. Very beautiful. I join you in prayer, Susie. I pray for a special blessing and peace this very day for those persecuted for His sake.
DeleteI love my sisters in Christ!
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ReplyDeleteLoved the video too Fawn. I was lifting my hands toward the Father here at work. I'm sure those watching thought I was crazy. That is my prayer today that I would be BOLD like John and not be afraid of what the world thinks of me. If it takes wearing camels hair and eating locusts to further the kingdom, then thats what I need to do. Help me to be obedient to him when he asks me to do something for his glory.
ReplyDeleteMe too Lisa! Here I am, in the doctor's office getting my IV, patting my foot with tears in my eyes praising The Lord. We are blessed today!!
ReplyDeleteI was having trouble with this passage for some reason. Brandy, your post has made things a little clearer. I kept going back to vs 5 where it says "Every valley shall be filled in,every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth." After reading your post it makes sense to me now. All those obstacles can be removed by us if we are willing to step out on faith like John did and prepare the way. Thanks Brandy.
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