The Voice of One Crying in the Wilderness (Luke 3:4-6)

2022-03-30

The Scriptures say there would be one who came before the Lord Jesus, a herald that would announce His coming.

The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. (Isaiah 40:3-5)

This man is one to prepare the people for God’s coming: “a highway for our God.” This indicates that Jesus Christ is God Himself. This preparation included a leveling of the playing field. There was no one who was to high and lofty to not need the Savior, and there was not one who was too low and destitute to miss the Savior’s care. Whatever lot in life one might be in, the Lord came for them all. The glory would be seen by all: “all flesh shall see it together.” “...and every eye shall see him...” (Revelation 1:7).

When John the Baptist came, all manner of people came before him. Religious leaders, tax collectors, and soldiers, among many others, were all there together. This fulfills the Isaiah 40:3-5. His preaching made them all even before God. Being a descendant of Abraham gave no one privilege. The one with surplus gives to him who lacks. Do not use your status as a soldier or tax collector to harm others. With this, they recognized John as that voice in the wilderness: “And as the people were in expectation...” (Luke 3:15).

John’s baptism of water also prefigured a greater baptism that Christ would give them: “John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire” (Luke 3:16).

Lastly, John’s unjust arrest and execution prefigured Jesus as well: “Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison” (Luke 3:20). “And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison” (Matthew 14:10).

As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God. (Luke 3:4-6)