Wednesday 31st December
Read Matthew 3:4-6
“John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt round his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6 Confessing their sins, they were baptised by him in the River Jordan.” (NIVUK)
Although John may not think he was the Elijah to come, he certainly dressed the part and was provided for by the land.
“The king asked them, ‘What kind of man was it who came to meet you and told you this?’ 8 They replied, ‘He had a garment of hair and had a leather belt round his waist.’ The king said, ‘That was Elijah the Tishbite.’” (2 Kings 1:7-8) (NIVUK)
Strangely, the people from all around, including Jerusalem, were heeding John’s message. They were coming to the Jordan, confessing their sins and being baptised. The Jordan, the river God’s people passed through on their way into the promised land, is a picture of them coming near to the kingdom of God. John’s ministry was fulfilling the Isaianic promises that one would come preparing the way for the Lord.
How responsive are we to the need to prepare our hearts the same way? How often do we spend time in confession and prayer?
