PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 3:1-6
“This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah…” (Matthew 3:3)
If there is a quote in the bible, do you ever check where it is from?
Matthew links John to Isaiah’s “voice of one calling in the wilderness” (Isaiah 40:3).
If we look closer at Isaiah 40, you see who Matthew is claiming Jesus to be.
The voice calling is preparing the way for the Lord to come!
He predicts that the “glory of the Lord will be revealed.” (Isaiah 40:5).
And “all people will see” His glory (Isaiah 40:5), not just a religious few.
This message is announcing “good news” (Isaiah 40:9), or ‘gospel’.
And the good news is, “Here is your God!” (Isaiah 40:9)
Isaiah prophecies that the “Sovereign Lord comes with power” (Isaiah 40:10).
But not in the typical power way: “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” (Isaiah 40:11)
Do you see what Matthew is saying: if John is the voice calling, then Jesus is…
“Here is your God” becomes “‘Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us’)” (Matthew 1:24).
Do you see Jesus as God Himself, here to rescue and restore us like a Good Shepherd?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I can’t explain how it works, but I do believe that somehow You are God with us, just as Isaiah predicted. Thank You for carrying me close to Your heart.
Tie-ins like that in scripture – the pictures Isaiah paints of the messiah – and many other Old Testament pick-a-boos into the future – leaves me overcome with worship – affirming my faith and seeing God in everything! What will I see today that speaks of the Good News?
Repent.
Confess.
Walk in His ‘Sonshine’.
Remember he song ‘Count your many blessings, name them one by one?’
I also need to confess my sins naming them one by one. All too often I just pray forgive my trespasses as stated in the Lord’s prayer.
Help me daily Lord to walk in Your ‘SonShine”.
When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way;
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
John the Baptist’s ministry pointed to Jesus. Many people responded to his call for repentance, for removing anything that might stand in the way of Jesus. What obstacles do I have to confess and repent of in order to “make the paths straight” for Jesus to work in my life?