Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Matthew 3:1-6 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'" John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
THE VOICE
Have you heard of the TV reality show "The Voice"? It's a singing competition which includes an intriguing element called a blind audition. The coaches who decide whether they want a singer on their team only hear the voice. They don't initially see the person. The idea is that then the focus will be where it should be, on the quality of the voice, rather than personal appearance.
It’s a good point, but take it another step. What is more important, a message or the appearance of the messenger? If you think about it, obviously the message is more vital than who delivers it. Yet in our media age often much more attention is given to the messenger. The political candidate who looks the best on TV and has a more charismatic personality than his opponent may garner the most votes. The words of a movie star are automatically taken as truth by fans.
John the Baptist did not look nearly as impressive as the Scribes and Pharisees, yet he preached a message of repentance which everyone needed to hear. Jesus didn't look the part of the outwardly regal Messiah many had envisioned, so they didn't listen and missed the message of salvation.
The important thing when it comes to our standing with God, our purpose in life, and our eternal future is not the messenger, but the Message, the news of God-made-man come to be our substitute and Savior from sin and death. The messenger may be Mom or Dad, the pastor, a Sunday School teacher, a friend, or John the Baptist. But no matter who the messenger, the power of the Message is the same: "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes" (Romans 1:16). No matter who the messenger, may we hear the voice of our Lord and respond in grateful praise!
