Scripture Reading(s)
Luke 3:1-6
3:1 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,
3:2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.
3:3 He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,
3:4 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.
3:5 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;
3:6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'”
Reflections
When Christ came to this earth as a baby and the savior of this world, His mission was not only to die for our sins but to also prepare those who would take on the role of spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. John was one who was appointed by God to do His work and He calls us to that same role.
This is a passage that sets the groundwork for Christ coming to fulfill all that John is preaching to the people. This is a breaking point in the Jewish nation because they had been longing for the Messiah to come to this world. Jesus was finally coming but it would not be as they expected. Some may have picture Christ coming on a steel white horse or a grand carriage. However, Christ coming to this earth was to do one thing: humbly love and serve those who had not yet been exposed to the gospel.
Let us rejoice at what God has done for His people. He came as humble baby and grew to be the one true savior of this world in order so that we could enter into a loving relationship with Him and be set free of our sin. This Christmas season is about remembering that we can be used as God’s tools to help pave the way to the road to salvation. It is about answering the same call John was given to spread the good news of Jesus Christ.
The message is clear: Christ came and paid the penalty for our sins by dying on the cross in our place. We were sinners and as such were separated from God. Christ broke that barrier and His death on the cross created a bridge between Him and us. This is a message of hope that is available to all those who hear it and accept it. It starts with a heart of repentance and an acceptance of God’s forgiveness.