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Luke 
Day 
Day 39

Luke 3:1-7 , Isaiah 40:1-11 "THE PREACHING OF JOHN"

Day 39 – Luke 3

Text: Luke 3:1-7 , Isaiah 40:1-11

THE PREACHING OF JOHN

What was the preaching ministry of John like? What did he proclaim that drew the multitudes to the Lord? Here are some thoughts to mull over. In order to appreciate the ministry of John, we need to take time to read Isaiah’s prophecy concerning this “voice in the wilderness”. (Take time to read the extra passage of Isaiah 40:1-11).

1. The context of Isaiah’s prophetic word was one of COMFORT!

“Comfort, yes, comfort My people! ” says your God.
“Speak comfort to Jerusalem…” Isaiah 40:1-2

The voice in the wilderness was to proclaim “comfort” to Jerusalem. John is often portrayed as a “fire and brimstone” prophet of God. This caricature does not do justice to the prophetic word concerning the forerunner of the Messiah. John’s message had to be a word of comfort and encouragement to the people. He had to proclaim that their “iniquity was pardoned” (Isaiah 40:2).

2. John’s task was to preach the following necessary message. Hearts must be prepared to receive the Lord’s Messiah. Hence he preached,

“Prepare the way of the Lord;
Make His paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled
And every mountain and hill brought low;
The crooked places shall be made straight
And the rough ways smooth;
And all flesh shall see the salvation of God. ” Luke 2:4-6

The imagery of the topographical terrain is a beautiful description of the different types of hearts. That the references to valleys, mountains, hills etc must be understood as powerful imagery is obvious. There were no physical topographical changes noted in the ministries of John or the Lord Jesus. His task was to proclaim the salvation of God! All hearts, whether proud ones or humiliated ones must be readied to receive the salvation of God!

3. John’s means of reaching the masses is simply the preaching of the Word of God. The Old Testament prophets ministry was characterized by the mighty preaching of God’s Word. We return to Isaiah’s prophetic words,

“All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower fades…
Surely the people are grass.
The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the Word of our God stands forever” Isaiah 40:6-8

John’s ministry was to proclaim the Word of God. He was to preach, “Behold, your God!” (Isaiah 40:9). He was to proclaim a wonderful message of a God who was going to bring great comfort to their souls. If there were sins, they would be forgiven! God would come and lead them as their Shepherd (Isaiah 40:10-11).

“THE BAPTISM OF REPENTANCE FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS” Luke 3:3

The multitudes came. Once again, we are reminded of what the angel Gabriel said about the ministry that John would have.

“And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.
He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah,
‘To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’
And the disobedient to the wisdom of the just,
To make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Luke 1:16-17

The words of the Angel Gabriel were literally fulfilled. We can imagine the people who came to John to confess their sins. These would be fathers and children who needed to be reconciled to each other. There would be the disobedient who needed to return to God and His word of wisdom.

The words of comfort rather than condemnation must have touched the hearts of the multitudes. The love of God brought as much conviction as the preaching against sin. Their hearts must have been deeply moved as the ancient prophecy of Isaiah was proclaimed!

The multitudes expressed that they were ready to receive the Messiah! Yes, they would seek John’s baptism. They came confessing their many sins. To all who came with repentant hearts, the comfort of God was given!

DO WE HAVE PREPARED HEARTS TOO?

As we read about the need to have prepared hearts to receive the Lord Jesus Christ, are we not challenged to examine our own hearts? Are there mountains and hills of pride that must be brought low? Are there crooked areas in our life that need to be made straight?

Let us come bravely to the Lord Jesus. He came to forgive and to comfort and not to condemn. Let there be full confession of sins. Let there be full forgiveness of sins from the Lord too. He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).