Jesus, I Need You, Part 2Sýnishorn

QUIET MOMENT


In 26 A.D. the silence of God was broken after more than four hundred years; God’s people had not heard a word since the days of the prophet Malachi. Finally, the message came through John the Baptist, but they were not ready for it. After waiting for what would seem an eternity, most of them were completely unprepared. We often find ourselves to be just like that. We may be waiting and maybe even listening, but we often are looking in the wrong direction or listening to the wrong voices and miss the blessing. What do you think you should do to prepare your heart to make ready the way of the Lord – to make His path straight?


John’s words directly fulfill a prophecy of Isaiah. Incredible! Think for a moment how many years had passed since those words had been spoken. Isaiah prophesied of John’s call to repentance in 724 B.C. God desired repentance then, and He still desires it now. The Lord’s call upon the lives of His beloved hasn’t changed. It is the same today as it was thousands of years ago in the days of Isaiah. Are you listening? Do you have ears to hear? Jesus said often, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (i.e. Matthew 11:15). Are you listening? Is there anything in your life that is keeping you from having ears to hear?


GOING DEEPER


The coming of John the Baptist is recorded in all four gospels. In God’s Word, what is important is repeated. We will look at three of the four gospels. Read Matthew 3:1-12. What words from this passage does the Lord use to speak to your heart?


1. What was John’s message to unbelievers?


2. How can this message speak to us as Christians as well?


REFLECTION AND PRAYER


Are you listening and making ready the way of the Lord? What would you say are your distractions, good or bad? Take some time to make a mental list and then close in a prayer to the Lord.

TAKE THE TRUTH TO HEART AND BRING THE TRUTH TO LIFE

Choose one truth from today and apply it to your heart. Take it with you throughout the day.