Luke 3:3-6
"3 And he came into all the district around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins; 4 as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, "THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, 'MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT. 5 'EVERY RAVINE WILL BE FILLED, AND EVERY MOUNTAIN AND HILL WILL BE BROUGHT LOW; THE CROOKED WILL BECOME STRAIGHT, AND THE ROUGH ROADS SMOOTH; 6 AND ALL FLESH WILL SEE THE SALVATION OF GOD.'"
What was John the Baptizer talking about? It was crazy times in Israel, and everyone knew that JB was something special. I have had my own struggles with JB and wondering what was his purpose? So after much questioning and bewilderment, the fog has lifted. I think I am beginning to understand what JB was saying. The text below is from my journal on June 21, 2006.
1. "Every ravine will be filled."
The deep places within you where emptiness dwells will be filled with a new life. There will now be a life flowing from you that will be a place for all to come and drink and be filled.
2. "Every mountain and hill will be brought low."
What seemed like obstacles large and small that you could never cross, the places you have looked at and wished you could go, those barriers are going to be obliterated with this new life. You will walk to new places.
3. "The crooked will become straight."
No longer will you lack vision. You will see the goal at the end. For the vision of this new life will be completely out in front of you. You will have a straight shot for it.
4. "The rough roads smooth."
You know what it is like to hit potholes. No more. No more starts and stops, or slowing down and speeding up. The life you are running on will be as smooth as glass.
5. "All flesh will see the salvation of God."
The flesh is weak! It is powerless without this life. But the life has come. Do not worry. Deliverance is given to all those who are ready to make the journey with Him. To get ridiculously wrapped up in the life Jesus is now living on earth. Good bye anger, cultivated lusting, verbal manipulation, religiosity, etc. Hello love, joy, peace, long-suffering, goodness, kindness, self control, etc.
This was what the voice of John the baptizer was crying in the wilderness. Make ready the new way of life in Jesus, the life He makes available. Be ready! He will show you the way!
Make ready "The Way."
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2 comments:
cool meditation.
I don't assume all the sayings about ravines and such to be spirtual. I think that is one aspect of it, but there will literally be some filled in ravines when the Lord's Day is complete.
The whole things with John the Baptist is he was sent to prepare the hearts of God's people to recognize their Messiah by teaching them what God really wanted and expected of them. Without JB the only lessons prior to Christ's arrival would be from 'the establishment.'
He came in the mantle (mission) of Elijah, though also Elijah turned up in person during the transfiguration.
This versus and the Isaish 61:1-2 verse Jesus quoted incompletely in Luke 4:18-20 show the two comings of the Messiah together.
I expect another to come 'in the spirit of Elijah' before Christ returns AND I expect Elijah to turn up, as well as some major earth-shaking events!
Susan :)
There aren't nearly enough 'Jonisms' in this world, my friend. Keep writing! I love this stuff. Very good.
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