Good teachers will prompt us to ask this question, “What should we do?” How do we answer? Are our hearts ready for change?
John the Baptist has grown up, and he was, “In the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” (Luke 2: 3)
John’s ministry was called a baptism of repentance because it included sorrow for sin and a changed heart. He baptized those with water who wanted to follow the Lord and live for Him. His preaching, and most commonly known phrase was, “A voice of one calling in the desert, prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.” (Luke 2: 4)
John was preparing the people to follow after Jesus, the Messiah, the one who was coming. The religious leaders were coming to check John out and John called them, “Brood of Vipers!” That’s a pretty strong term.
What does that term mean? It was a common expression at the time, indicating those who were filled with malice. A brood of vipers was a family of snakes. Vipers are venomous, and so is the bite from a person filled with hate. Malice is a desire to cause pain, injury, or distress to another. It’s very intentional.
John’s message of “preparing the way” is symbolic of improving the roads beforehand. Before a king made a journey to a distant country, the roads he would travel on were improved.
Preparation, spiritually, for the coming Messiah was made in a moral and spiritual preparation in his ministry. That’s why he baptized, which focused on repentance and forgiveness of sins and indicating the need for a Savior.
John prophesied, “The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God’s salvation.” (Luke 3: 5)
Can it get any clearer than that? “What should we do then?” the crowds asked. One by one, they came to be baptized, asking this question. This very question is an answer, a direction shown of a willing, repentant heart that wanted to change.
If an unbeliever comes to you, a believer, and asks, “What should I do to be saved?” Answer their question and show them the way of salvation, the way to eternal life–through Jesus.
John told his followers, “I baptize you with water, but one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. (Luke 3: 16)
(Shared from Luke 3: 1-20, Modified)
Look With Your Eyes and Hear With Your Ears
Ezekiel shares how the hand of the Lord was upon him and he took him to the city, the city of Jerusalem. “In visions of God He took me to the land of Israel and set me on a very high mountain, on whose southside were some buildings that looked like a city. (Ezekiel 40: 2)
- God delights in showing and sharing some things with his servants, the prophets.
God specifically tells Ezekiel, “Look with your eyes and hear with your ears and pay attention to everything I am going to show you, for that is why you have been brought here.” (Ezekiel 40: 4)
- He tells Ezekiel to tell the house of Israel everything you see.
If God wouldn’t have told him to tell, he would have waited and not told. There’s a time to tell of the things that God shows us, then there is a time to wait until He says to share it.
God Shows Ezekiel The Gates
Ezekiel was shown all the gates around the temple. These gates were measured within the vision, each one. These gateways were entrances, into the temple area. There were guards posted at these gates to keep out anyone who might profane the temple area.
- Yes, the holy should not be defiled.
Ezekiel is then shown by an angel the outer sanctuary, and the inner sanctuary, but only the angel could enter the Most Holy Place. Ezekiel says, “He said to me, “This is the Most Holy Place. (Ezekiel 41: 4)
No one but the High Priest was allowed to enter this room, only once a year to offer the sacrifices for the sins of the people. The book of Hebrews says, “Only the High Priest entered the inner room and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people have committed in ignorance. (Hebrews 9: 7)
The question still remains, as we are now the tabernacles of God, “What should we do?” The correct answer, “Let God show you.
(Shared from Ezekiel 4: 40-41, Modified)
A New Name
Isaiah is shown what to do. He’s told to be a voice, “For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake, I will not remain quiet, till her righteousness shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch.” (Isaiah 62: 1)
Married To The Lord
The Lord is our bridegroom. “As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.” (Isaiah 62: 5)
“Pass through, pass through the gates! Prepare the way for the people. Build up, build up the highway! Remove the stones, raise a banner for the nations.” (Isaiah 62: 10)
All three of these readings are intersecting with each other. What was spoken long ago, carried throughout the generations. Yes, God’s Word shall go forth and will not return void. Void of what? Will not return empty. His promises shall be fulfilled!
- Whatever obstacle is in your way–pursue to remove it!
We just celebrated the birth of Jesus, that Isaiah spoke of. “The Lord has made proclamation to the ends of the earth; “Say to the daughters of Zion, see your Savior comes!” (Isaiah 62: 11)
- The proclamations of the Lord go forth not to just one or two, but to the ends of the earth!
- His voice carries much weight and force.
Yes, our Savior came and He is coming once again! What shall we do? Prepare like never before.
UNBROKEN LOVE SERIES
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