Lost in the Wilderness

SCRIPTURE

Second Sunday of Advent

Luke 3:1-6 (NRSV)
Prepare the way of the Lord

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,

"The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
'Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall be made straight,
and the rough ways made smooth;
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.' "



DEVOTION

In today’s scripture passage we encounter Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist, proclaiming the good news that Jesus is coming!

I love Isaiah’s words about John. He said that John would be “the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way of Lord!”

On this side of the cross, some people have the mistaken notion that we no longer need to proclaim the coming of Jesus! Since Jesus has already come into the world and died on an old rugged cross, some folks feel like the deed is done and there is no additional need for “prophets” to carry good news messages!

This could not be further from the truth my friends! It is still the case that people are facing “wilderness” experiences. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been in the wilderness a time or two.

When folks are in the wilderness, they are weighed down by the trials and tribulations of this life. They wander about in circles, trying to find a straight path, but cannot find one. They wander deep into the valley of death and depression and expect to be stuck there forever!

But, we have good news that is for all people—He is Christ the Lord!

It is Jesus’ desire to be invited into the hearts of our friends, co-workers, neighbors, and colleagues who are lost in the wilderness of life.

This is why, as Christians, in 2009, we are still called to be voices crying out in the wilderness; we are commissioned to be light along the path so that our loved ones and neighbors can follow it into the very heart of Jesus.

As we go, we have the honor of declaring, “Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.' "

Oh Hallelujah!

Isn’t it awesome good news that we get to proclaim the salvation of our God?!

One CHRISTmas morning, God sent Jesus into the world where he ultimately grew into a god-man, who by his love and sacrifice, died on the cross, saved us from our sin, and gifted us with eternal life.

As a result, none of us needs to stay lost in the wilderness. Jesus is beckoning us home and inviting us—as Christians—to help him call lost people in from the cold of sin, death, and the grave and into the warmth of God’s love, joy, and peace this holy-day season.

This Advent, I want to invite us to open up our eyes and to be on the look-out for people who are lost in the wilderness and to lead them home…

Will you proclaim God’s good news this—and every—month? The Kingdom of Love is counting on you!


Please pray with me:

My Lord! It is so awesome that I get to be a proclaimer of the Good News Message! It is wonderful that you have entrusted such a special task to me. Please help me to be faithful as I carry your love, joy, and peace to those who are lost in the wilderness of life. I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.




THE INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html