The Way of the LORD

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The Way of the LORD

As John the Baptist preached  way out in the deserts,  many common people  went out there  to hear him preach,  probably because his preaching  touched their hearts.     This strange occurrence  really made the Pharisees wonder  who John the Baptist  might be.     So,  they sent some representatives  to ask John straight out  if he might be  the promised Christ  or some other prophet mentioned  in Scripture.

In John 1:23,  John the Baptist answered,

I am a voice  of one crying  in the wilderness,  “Make straight  the way  of the LORD,”  as Isaiah the prophet said.

That was a quote  of Isaiah the prophet  in Isaiah 40:3, approximately 700 years beforehand.      There is also a special message  in these words  for us today.

The religious leaders  during the days  of John the Baptist  forced all sorts  of man-made rules  and traditions  on all the people.     They made the people feel  that if they wanted  to be saved,  they had to obey  all these rules  and traditions.

John preached differently.     He explained  what was sinful  in God’s eyes  and told the people  they needed to repent  —  to stop living  in their sinful ways.     John also told them  that the Savior,  promised many times  throughout Scripture,  would soon be there to save them  from their sins.

It is true  that John preached  in actual desert areas.     But,  the Greek and Hebrew words  for “wilderness”  tell us more  about where John preached.     The word “wilderness” also meant  a person  who had been deserted  and had no protection  from anyone  —  or a flock of sheep  who had been deserted  by the shepherd.     The real “wilderness“  was the forsaken hearts  of the people.

The religious leaders  back in those days  were often thought of  as “shepherds” leading their flock,  the people.     But,  when they made up a bunch of rules  for the people,  and did not preach the truths  of God’s love,  the people felt deserted.     They had so many rules  to learn  and keep  that they felt abused.     The people became  like a deserted flock  of sheep,  with no protection  from anyone  —  because they no longer were taught  the truths  of God’s love  —  the truths they needed  to know.     Many people today  are still like that.

We,  too,  might be like we’re living  in a wilderness.     We might be wondering  if we’ll ever  do enough good works  to earn  our way  into heaven.     In John’s gospel message,  the people learned  that good works  do not save anyone.     What they needed  were repentant hearts  that were ready  to meet their Lord.

When John said,  “Make straight the way of the Lord,”  he was saying  the way  into their hearts  was to become level,  smooth,  and straight  —  like a good road.     The way  into our hearts  is made straight,  when we recognize  our sinful ways  and repent.     When we repent,  then the Lord  can easily come  into our hearts  to free us  from our sins  and bless us  with His loving forgiveness.

When we know the truths  of God’s love  in sending Jesus,  our Savior,  to totally wash away  our sins  and lead us  in God-pleasing lives,  then we will feel protected  and safe  in the Good Shepherd’s loving arms.     We will not only feel safe,  but we will actually  be safe.     That is why  it is so important  to have repentant hearts.     Our repentant hearts  will make a straight road  into our hearts,  so that we will actually be saved  as Jesus enters in.

When we let Jesus live  in our hearts,  we will say,  “Hallelujah!     Our Savior cares for us.     He surely is our Good Shepherd  throughout life.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional  to glorify  the LORD of lords  and GOD of gods.

Pray for our country.

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The LORD  made this day, let us rejoice  and be glad  in Him.

Psalm 118:24

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The word of the LORD is tried;

He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.

Psalm 18:30

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Sing for joy  in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;

Praise is becoming  to the upright.

Psalm 33:1

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How blessed are those  who dwell  in Thy house!

They are ever praising Thee.

Psalm 84:4

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Just as a father  has compassion  on his children,

So the LORD  has compassion  on those who fear Him.

Psalm 103:13

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O give thanks  to the LORD,  for He is good;

For His lovingkindness  is everlasting.

Psalm 107:1

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Glory in His holy name;

Let the heart  of those who seek the LORD  be glad.

Psalm 105:3

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Not that I have already obtained it,  or have already  become perfect,   but I press on  in order that  I may  lay hold  of that  for which also  I was laid hold of  by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12

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