2 Voices in the Wilderness
Scripture Reading: Matthew 3 – 4:1-11
There are two voices in the wilderness. One voice creates space and the other voice accuses you.
VOICE 1
“In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’”
MATTHEW 3: 1-3
The voice that creates space belonged to John the Baptist. Many came from all around because they were skeptical about this voice. John looked like he crawled up out of the earth somewhere; he wore a camel hair pelt and a leather belt. This voice was loud and fanatic. It spoke of purpose and promise. It “made way for the Lord.”
Later in Matthew 3: 16-17, John baptizes Jesus. The voice of John carving out space in the wilderness, made room fro Jesus to hear the voice of his Father from Heaven validating him.
What strikes me is that the wilderness is a desert place. Nothing grows there; its just a wasteland. But John’s voice turned it into a highway for Heaven, beckoning people fron near and far to turn back to God.
VOICE 2
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
MATTHEW 4: 1-4
The other voice resided deeper in the wilderness. It appeared after a longer and lonelier journey. This voice sounded like accusation.
“If you are this, you should be able to do that.”
“If you were blessed, you shouldn’t experience failure.”
“If you were good enough, you would have been accepted.”
It was the same voice left there by the Israelites all those years ago. It echoed of the canyon walls vibrating with insecurity. But Jesus confronted this deeply rooted voice with the words of God. He did this by simply quoting them, but by BEING them. Jesus is the Word of God! You are a Child of God!
Jesus found his victory in his truest identity; in how he lived what was spoken. You have the same power. When you find yourself overcome by loneliness and self doubt, quote the words that God has spoken about you.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14)
“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16)
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:14)
