Scripture

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberias… the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.

Observation

In the fifteenth year of Tiberias’ reign, John hears the word of God and begins preaching in the wilderness.

He goes throughout the region proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

This all happens in accordance with Isaiah’s prophecy:

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness

‘Prepare the way of the Lord’”

Application

John was a great man, a prophet of God. Jesus said he was the greatest among those born under the old covenant.

John was never greater than Jesus. He was the one who prepared the way of the Lord. John rolled out the red carpet for the one coming, the greater one.

As children of the new covenant, none of us is greater than Jesus, nor greater than anyone else.

All of our actions, words, relationships are to prepare the way for the one greater.

Prayer

Lord Jesus help me to understand that the purpose of my life, like John’s, is to honour you in all things. Amen.