“In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene – 2 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 country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: ‘A voice of one calling in the wilderness, “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all people will see God’s salvation.”’”
(Luke 3:1-6 NIV)
- In the wilderness, God made John into a and not an .
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Ps. 23:4 NIV)
“Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her.”
(Hos. 2:14 NIV)
- In the wilderness, God doesn’t give you . He gives you
“People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan.” (Matt. 3:5 NIV)
“And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” (Rom.10:15 NIV)