The reed in the wilderness

The reed in the wilderness

Scripture:

As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: ’‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,  who will prepare your way before you.’ Matthew 11:7-10

Observation:

In this passage, we see the Lord speaking to the crowd about John the Baptist. In the time of his ministry, John must have been a strange sight indeed, wearing clothes of camels hear and living in the wilderness by himself. Yet crowds went out to see him in droves because they knew he was a prophet. They knew that through him, they could hear the Words of God. The Lord then further explained that John was indeed a prophet, and even more than a prophet, for he had the specific ministry of preparing the way for the Messiah, the Savior of Israel, the Lord Jesus Himself. And John the Baptist did his job excellently, regularly telling his listeners to get ready for the coming of the Messiah.

Application:

The anointing of a person comes not from his outward appearance or lifestyle but by the quality of his heart and his relationship with God. We may look right and dress right and speak the right words, go to the right meetings, but ultimately, it is our personal heart and relationship with God that ascertains the true character of our person.

In the days of John the Baptist, the people were so hungry for God that they took great trouble to go out into the wilderness to find what they had heard was a true prophet of God. How hungry are we today for God? Pray for God to give us that hunger to seek Him more.

John the Baptist had the ministry of preparing the way for the Messiah and he did so faithfully in telling people to expect the coming of Jesus. This ministry is now handed over to us who know the Lord, to likewise tell others of the imminent return of our Lord Jesus as well. This time, He will come in power and glory on the clouds, where He will make everything new. Pray that He may show us how to prepare the way for Him in the hearts of others.

Prayer:

We thank You, Lord, for the life of John the Baptist, the great prophet that shook the nation of Israel in preparation for Your coming. Teach me Lord, not to judge by outward appearances, but to look at the heart, even my own, and to seek You deeply, genuinely, just as I am. Create in me a fresh, new hunger O Lord for You, that I may truly seek You more and more in my life. Teach me and guide me O Lord, even in preparing the way for You in the hearts of my friends and family. Blessed be Your name forever, O Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.