Wed.’s Devo. - John Prepares the Way

Read Luke 3:1-6 This first verse could read something like this in a different time: “In the year when Hitler was dictator over Germany, Mussolini was dictator over Italy, Stalin was dictator over Russia and Tojo was Prime Minister of Japan.” That was the atmosphere of the day that Jesus came to earth. The only difference was that there was still a religious system in place, however corrupt, and Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests. Interestingly their names mean “gracious” and “beautiful”. Caiaphas was older and his daughter married Annas. They were of the Saddusees. Caiaphas was a member of the council when Jesus was brought before them for judgment. He gave his opinion that Jesus should be put to death "for the people, and that the whole nation perish not" (John 11: 50). In these words he unconsciously spoke a prophecy. Caiaphas had no power to inflict the punishment of death, and therefore Jesus was sent to Pilate, the Roman governor, that he might pronounce the sentence against him (Matt 27: 2 John 18: 28). So it is during their reign as High Priests that God brought the ministry of John. John began his ministry in the wilderness, away from the political/religious systems of the times. He preached in the country around the Jordan River preaching that the people could have their sins washed away through repentance. This was certainly a new concept which by-passed the priests and their offerings. If the people believed this their would be no reason to pay the temple for offerings or sacrifices. John was sent to pave the road of the people’s hearts so that the Messiah would have a path to walk on. He preached that all who were low in the world (the valleys) would be filled. And every leader and elevated person (the mountains) would be humbled. That the things that were morally crooked would be corrected and that the rough life would be made smooth; that all flesh will see the salvation of God. He was speaking of people’s hearts at this time which will actually manifest in the natural when he comes again. Lord, we pray that all flesh will see your salvation and that their hearts would be softened to receive you when you come again.