Jesus Is the Prince of PeaceSampel

The Voice in the Wilderness

John the Baptist spoke as a prophet of God. He proclaimed, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 3:2). The following verse identifies John as the voice of one calling in the wilderness. He fulfilled Isaiah’s predictions, as well as those of Zechariah, John’s own father.

Because we know John lived in the desert and dressed and ate in an unusual manner, we think of him out in the wilderness, crying out like a wild man. But that is not what the original Hebrew expresses. The phrases in Hebrew are often translated to say, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord.'" However, the phrase is more accurately rendered this way: “The voice of one crying, ‘In the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord, make His path straight.'" This conveys a totally different meaning about the one who is crying out or calling loudly and those who are being called.

John the Baptist was a New Testament voice that God placed on the scene at precisely the intended moment. He communicated God’s love as he proclaimed, “Now is your time. Have you done all you need to do? Are you ready to recognize the One who was promised?”

But John was not alone in preparing those around him to receive the Savior. Throughout the record of the Old Testament, other prophets did the same. They declared, “The Promise is coming. You will recognize Him. He will be gentle, loving, compassionate, a Lamb. He will be the Prince of Peace.”

We, too, like John and like the prophets of old, are voices God has called to proclaim His truth at just the right time. I see us, as followers of Christ, in this wilderness cry. We are the ones crying to those who are in the wilderness of sin, isolation, loneliness, and everything that is associated with separation from God and all of His goodness. We are that voice, and our message is that the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, has come.