Luke 3:1-6 - “The Voice of One Crying…”

Luke tells us that John is the fulfilment the “voice” found in Isaiah 40:3-5. It was there that Isaiah prophesied some seven-hundred years before the events in the Gospels these words: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough places smooth; The glory of the LORD shall be revealed, And all flesh shall see it together; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."   The Apostle John in his Gospel tells us: “Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ." And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" And he answered, "No." Then they said to him, "Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?" He said: "I am 'The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Make straight the way of the LORD," ' as the prophet Isaiah said" (John 1:19-23).   John the Baptist knew clearly that he was that “voice” that Isaiah prophesied about. He knew what his mission was in preparing the way of the LORD! In fulfillment of that prophecy, John is that voice, a clear distinct voice, a loud voice, an articulate one! John cries, 'Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight. John's business is to make way for the receiving of the gospel in the hearts of the people.  To bring them into such a frame and temper of mind so that Christ might be welcome to them, and they would welcome to Christ.   Luke goes further on with the quotation than Matthew and Mark had done and applies the following words likewise to John's ministry (v. 5,6), “Every valley shall be exalted or filled”. It seems that this means the gospel of Christ will fill the low valleys of people’s hearts. In other words, the humble will be filled and enriched with grace and be exalted.   “And every mountain and hill brought low”. Speaks how the Gospel will humble the proud and bring them down. How the self-confident that stand upon their own wisdom, and how the self-conceited that lift up their own selves, will have contempt put upon them. If they repent, they are brought to the dust, but if not, they will be taken to the lowest hell.   “The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough ways smooth”. Indicates that sinners shall be converted to God. Their crooked ways and their crooked spirits will be made straight. Man can’t do this himself as it says in Ecclesiastes 7:13: “Consider the work of God; For who can make straight what He has made crooked?”  Only God by his grace can make that straight which sin hath made crooked.   “And the rough ways smooth”. Only the Holy Spirit and the Gospel can deal with and remove the difficulties that hinder and discourage us in finding the way to heaven. Yes the Scripture teaches us that they that love God's law shall have great peace, and nothing shall offend them (Psalm 119:165). The gospel has made the way to heaven plain and easy to be found, smooth and easy to be walked in.   “And all flesh shall see the salvation of God." God’s great salvation through Christ shall be more fully discovered than ever, and the discovery of it shall spread to all flesh!  Not the Jews only, but also the Gentiles. Yes, everyone shall see this salvation of God in the cross of Jesus Christ. It is set before them and offered to them!  Anyone and everyone are invited to enjoy it and receive the benefit of it.   God sometimes has to break up our cold proud hard stony hearts with trials and problems and brings us low so that we might open our hearts in repentance to receive His grace, hope, peace and comfort for our weary souls!   God bless!