Word@Work Luke39 - Luke 3:4-6
Published: Mon, 02/15/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
STRAIGHT FORWARD SALVATION
Luke 3:4-6 As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God's salvation.'" (NIV)
John the Baptist was on a mission. It was not his idea; there was no self-interest in pursuing a long-cherished ambition. God was in control. So, before Luke narrates what John did, he tells us why he did it. 700 years previously, Isaiah the prophet had written about a person who would announce God's Messiah; he would preach the need to get all the obstacles out of the way so that the Saviour would be welcomed. That was John's divine appointment.
John's ministry was in calling people to repentance, to grieve over their personal rebellion towards God and their proud arrogance - and even their self-righteousness in their religion. These are the real obstacles to the ministry of Jesus in the world today, as well. Whether it is the high places of idol worship or the low places of grumbling, or depraved thinking and behaviour; or the deviant nature of human sinfulness or the rough world of pragmatic survival - all these need to be dealt with so that the King of kings can be welcomed. In the same way in which workmen travelled ahead of an eastern king, mending the road so that he could travel safely and speedily, Isaiah predicted that God would send his workman to call people to repentance. Only repentance, of everything that opposes God, will make a satisfactory road for the Lord.
God still works in exactly the same way. Nobody can receive Jesus as Saviour and Lord if they are committed to themselves or a false worship. So the first thing to do, when we feel far from God, is to say, "Lord, please show me who or what I have been worshipping, and putting in place of You". There is an easy test: whatever/whoever you spend your time, thought or energy on - that is your idol! The Lord of all will not come back into the centre of your life until idols are renounced: but when repentance is willingly offered, the road of your heart is ready for the Lord.
Prayer: Holy God, who can not tolerate the presence of sin. Please forgive me for so often choosing to worship idols and setting my affection on what You hate. I do want to be free from these obstacles which prevent my relationship with You. Give me an insight into the wrong way I have seen You and failed to welcome You as I should. Please also help me to announce Your love and grace to my friends and colleagues, that they too may want to surrender themselves to Your holy and pure love. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
John the Baptist was on a mission. It was not his idea; there was no self-interest in pursuing a long-cherished ambition. God was in control. So, before Luke narrates what John did, he tells us why he did it. 700 years previously, Isaiah the prophet had written about a person who would announce God's Messiah; he would preach the need to get all the obstacles out of the way so that the Saviour would be welcomed. That was John's divine appointment.
John's ministry was in calling people to repentance, to grieve over their personal rebellion towards God and their proud arrogance - and even their self-righteousness in their religion. These are the real obstacles to the ministry of Jesus in the world today, as well. Whether it is the high places of idol worship or the low places of grumbling, or depraved thinking and behaviour; or the deviant nature of human sinfulness or the rough world of pragmatic survival - all these need to be dealt with so that the King of kings can be welcomed. In the same way in which workmen travelled ahead of an eastern king, mending the road so that he could travel safely and speedily, Isaiah predicted that God would send his workman to call people to repentance. Only repentance, of everything that opposes God, will make a satisfactory road for the Lord.
God still works in exactly the same way. Nobody can receive Jesus as Saviour and Lord if they are committed to themselves or a false worship. So the first thing to do, when we feel far from God, is to say, "Lord, please show me who or what I have been worshipping, and putting in place of You". There is an easy test: whatever/whoever you spend your time, thought or energy on - that is your idol! The Lord of all will not come back into the centre of your life until idols are renounced: but when repentance is willingly offered, the road of your heart is ready for the Lord.
Prayer: Holy God, who can not tolerate the presence of sin. Please forgive me for so often choosing to worship idols and setting my affection on what You hate. I do want to be free from these obstacles which prevent my relationship with You. Give me an insight into the wrong way I have seen You and failed to welcome You as I should. Please also help me to announce Your love and grace to my friends and colleagues, that they too may want to surrender themselves to Your holy and pure love. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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