Purpose In The Wilderness - Luke 3:1-6

Introduction

This morning we will continue in the Gospel of Luke 3 (But our context has changed)

Two Sundays ago we read of how Jesus was about to turn 13, soon as they found him in Jerusalem in the temple with the rabbi’s after the feast of the Passover

He giving Mary and Jospeh a foretaste of what is to come In his ministry to those lost in sin.

So now John and Jesus are grown up, and mentioning John and Jesus…

So John and Jesus the two paralleled in the Gospel of Luke as we have read first of John’s birth foretold; and then Jesus foretold

And really as little as we know about Jesus childhood and boyhood, growing up, so we know just as much for John the Baptist.

So for John; and us not having much detail about him growing up; except that He was in the wilderness (and we know him as the camel wearing, locusts eating, honey sucking crazy man)

But John has been given a purpose and a mission to carry out in God’s timing, as the Word of the God would come to Him in the wilderness to start his journey to prepare the way of the Lord, as we will read of this morning.

So what was this mission? What did God say John the Baptist would do?

Luke 1:16-17 “And he (John) will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.””

So John has been given a mission to carry out

But how do we know He is equipped to carry out this mission, to make straight the path of the Lord and a people prepared?

Luke 1:15 “for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.”

And so we can see Luke anchors the commencement of Jesus ministry with the figure John who has been given a mission and equipped to carry it out.

John who has been named by God, filled by God and been given a mission by God, to carry it out so people can ready for the arrival of Jesus the Savior.

Please Stand

Read Luke 3:1-6

Luke 3:1–6 ESV

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ ”

Pray

Referring to V.1 and a portion of V.2 (and what is most important to know as we only have 30 mins this morning is that...

There is a lot of change happening in the leadership over in Rome; transition was taking place in this time

And we know with political power in transition so times in many regions can seem more tense

And so in the midst of this transition in Rome so we pick up in V. 2, in the wilderness.

Let us pick up at the end of verse 2:

Luke 3:2 ….. the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness.”

So in this time of transition and tension in Rome so “the Word of God came to John the Son of Zechariah in the wilderness…”

Well why is John in the wilderness?

Luke 1:80 “And the child (John) grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.”

So John is in the wilderness just as God planned it (or just as the Holy Spirit led John to the wilderness, at young age)

Wilderness - meaning - desert, desolate and a rocky place

Wilderness location - “Between the hill country of Judea and the Red Sea. That piece of real estate where nothing grows and where the land is not covered with sand but pebbles…”

So if John is there in the wilderness, is he just meant to stay there his whole life? (gosh at this point it might seemed like it.) But we know God works in seasons as we see in his creation of the seasons such as (Spring, Summer, Fall and winter so He works in our lives in seasons as well)

And in this seasons of wilderness for John, so God has him right where He wants him, until He hears differently; or until the Holy Spirit leads him.

So what exactly is John waiting in the desolate, hot wilderness for? - Why is He there?

He is there because the Holy Spirit led him there, and He is waiting upon the LORD.

“The Word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness.”

The Word - in the greek meaning that which is said and spoken (meaning a bible didn’t fall out of the sky and knock him on the head)

Came - in the greek meaning coming into a new state of being (God spoke, His voice was made known to John in that moment)

And so John in the wilderness heard God speak; as this was a long time for John to be in the wilderness; so God made it clear; this was Him speaking, clearly, for their was a mission soon to commence.

Now really fast, does God still speak audibly? (as it was clear as day to John that His time was up in the wilderness) So does God still speak audibly to His people?

Heb 1:1-2 “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.”

Now I didn’t say He doesn’t lead us (because He does by His Holy Spirit in us, but God audibly speaking is a whole other thing)

See God speaks now, but He speaks through His revealed Word called (The Bible) to us Christians to lead us and guide us, comfort us and convict us of sin, and to sanctify us in His Son.

If God chose today to open His mouth; well we really wouldn’t want him to audibly speak, as it would be a holy moment. So we wouldn’t survive. (as we see often in moments of Scripture when God shows up or speaks and makes Himself known, so many hit their face to the dirt; and honestly I bet not many of us have eaten dirt in this way)

So “The Word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness...”

Luke 3:3 “And he went... into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”

And he went…

Meaning John physically was going somewhere (after hearing God’s Word to Him. (See sometimes it’s good to hear from God in His word before we move on our own accord and will.) Right?

And where did John The Baptist go?

And he went….into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”

Now we know Jesus kingdom was not only for the Jew but also for the Gentile

As Simeon mentioned in Luke 2:29-32 ““Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.””

So we know this proclamation of baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins is a revelation to the Gentile as well, and for glory to your people Israel.

(The Gentile whom the current day Jew would call unclean and un-fit for the Kingdom; unless they committed their life to Judaism through a series of rituals including one called baptism)

But this was a different kind of baptism John was proclaiming.

See some history; in this time as I said the jews had their own ritualistic custom of baptism:

R.C. Sproul says - “because before this time the only baptism that was of significance among them (Jews) was prosLeyte (stranger or new comer to Isreal baptism) a cleaning ritual that the Jews imposed on gentiles who wanted to convert Judaism.”

So John hasn’t come whispering in the midst of regions where Jews would strongly believe their way of baptism was right; and only right. No! He has come “proclaiming” “a new rite to the Gentile and the Jew to be forgiven of their sins”

This proclamation (to preach, announce and herald) ““A baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”

in this time is HUGE, as what John is proclaiming...

Meaning not only Gentiles be baptized; but you Jews humble yourselves before the Lord and be baptized and repent to have your sins forgiven. (Not to rely on your man made judastic rituals, but to have your sins washed away and forgiven in Christ as He was soon to be on His way.

This Baptism symbolically in context: soon reflecting what Christ will do on the cross and do inside of them giving them the Holy Spirit as they have trusted in Him as Lord and Savior.

So as Judaism puts all these “you must do, to be…” on the gentiles, so that they can no longer be strangers to Isreal?

No. What they needed was baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins; that John has been told to proclaim from God; that is for all who humble themselves, before the Lord, who’s presence was approaching.

This baptism that John Proclaims is not something a Jewish cleansing, ritual or baptism could do!

Man can not wash away our own sins; the rituals of man made religion can not forgive sins; no matter how long the group has been practicing it. Their traditions can not forgive sin, Christ forgives sin alone!

Speaking of Baptism and doing it for the sake of ritual and custom of man-made works: I have a story and it springs from my cousins funeral

My cousin who was raised catholic with me was re-baptized in 2020, and as I shared this with my catholic family at the funeral they were puzzled and confused when I said this. “that He was re-baptized” ( I saw the video)

Why were they puzzled? (Because they have been raised that we are baptized as babies; as this is taught really to save them from sin)

At the reception I had some of my family ask about baptism after the service; and this opened the door for me to share the Gospel with them (as I am Baptist Preacher) And I was able to point them not to their ritualistic ways in the Catholic Church; (being sprinkled as a baby)

But I was able to point them to God’s grace and forgiveness as we come to understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ and what He has done for us, on the cross, in the grave and rising from the dead.

As a baby, a newborn we can’t know the Gospel and know we are a sinner, in other words are not John The Baptist

So then we are baptized because God has revealed to us our depravity and wickedness and sin, and His Truth, grace and mercy towards us sinners.

So John bringing this weighty proclamation to the Jews, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin. || Not their ritualistic, custom of baptism; that they said in a way brought people into God’s fold. No!

This was a new proclamation and one that would save the soul from hell

So this is something John planned right?

He planned that he would start to bring this loud and divisive proclamation to the areas and regions of around the Jordan? Right?

John said it was time to leave the wilderness right?

NO. God said...

Luke 3:4 “As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet…. “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”

As it is in the OT, as God breathed it, so we see the proclamation of the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins was not a man made concept or way, but is the one way John would begin to prepare the way for Christ’s ministry because of God’s Word to him. That leads us to repentance and salvation in His Son.

It wasn’t John’s idea, this was God’s idea from Alpha (beginning) to Omega (end)

Psalm 3:8 “Salvation belongs to the Lord; your blessing be on your people! Selah”

And what did the prophet Isaiah prophecy?

“The voice of one crying (meaning to shout loudly, to exclaim in greek) in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”

So from this OT text in Isaiah we can see our God is a God of keeping His Word and promises

How do we know this?

Because John came from the wilderness just as Isa. prophesied; and now He was preparing the way of the Lord and making his paths straight. (OT being Many Years Ago)

Isaiah also prophesied of what must become of the people who will hear the message of baptism, repentance and forgiveness

Luke 3:5 “Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways,”

Valleys will be filled? - So things being filled is often a good thing; who likes their glass half full?

Every mountain and hill will be made low? - Making things low so one can see “Down in front’

and the crooked shall become straight? - Making a crooked line straight on a horizon portrait of the Son rising

and the rough places shall become level ways? - And smoothing and leveling the rough road is always a good thing for the one traveling the narrow path

What is Isaiah meaning?

R.C.

This is the prophetic word delivered in poetic imagery speaking about what has to happen to people as God comes to them. The proud - the arrogant who have exalted themselves and appear as high mountains- have to be brought low. (the prideful Jew and Gentile)

Those who have been abased, those who have been oppressed, have to be lifted up. And all the thorns and rocks and stone and obstacles that fill our sinful hearts, our hearts of stone - have to be changed

The crooked places must be made straight, the rough places made smooth, because He is here and the people are not ready.

All flesh will see the manifestation of the salvation of God

This is the message prepare for the presence of Jesus.

It sounds like a large group of people are not ready; so John came to “prepare the way of the Lord” (but they must die to self and live to Christ so they will soon see... Because all of flesh “shall see” the salvation of God.

“Shall see” in greek meaning to pay attention; this proclamation will change peoples lives forever; and it will prepare some for the Lord’s return; and some will reject it because they are blinded by man made custom and ritual all the way to hell.

So John’s mission and purpose is “to turn many, so he couldn’t stay put in the wilderness where there was no one.

Points:

We see John, in Luke 1:80 “And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.” and now we read in Luke 3; so we know John took serious the call to remain in the wilderness as this was the place where God would prepare Him for His mission (20 + years)

Now just being real who in their right mind would be so very joyous as to spend so much time in a place such as the wilderness? (You would have to be out of your mind right?)

Well John was in his right mind per say, and He was filled with the Holy Spirit; He being obedient to God’s call on His life wether it was comfortable or not. Wether it was the wilderness or the garden.

Be real. Locust, camels hair and wild honey? (does it sound comfortable and convenient? No. (But it is God’s will for His life in this season)

What can we learn from this obedience of John; to the Spirits leading Him to the wilderness, to stay put in the wilderness until his “public appearance to Israel?”

Maybe our dry wilderness; our seasons in life when we feel like we are sitting on the hot pebbles in the wilderness; as if their is no growth. So if we are God’s children then from this story we read, He is using the wilderness seasons to prepare and propel his truths and promises of forgiveness and grace to those lost and dead in sin.

So my encouragement to us, from John’s obedience to follow the Holy Spirit and God’s Word in the wilderness seasons of His life is this...

So don’t look at the wilderness as a burden but as a blessing, and be content because obviously God has you right where He wants you, for your good and His glory.

The Word of God came to John in a place that was desolate; and dead; and in stepped life, the power God’s Words!

So God’s Word meet’s us in every season and reminds us of His sweet promises and warnings. (which means we are to live in the Word of God, and by the Word of God in every season of life.)

But here from point one, the wilderness is a blessing; seek to be content not on your own strength, but through Christ’s Word and His Spirit.

2. John didn’t stay put forever, no “he went..”

We who have been called by God; So in the seasons of our wilderness we must believe…

Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

See who was John filled with from his Mothers’s womb?

The Holy Spirit

Do we really think it was on John’s own fleshly power and will, that He survived the wilderness for so many Years?

No. It was the power of God in Him and His longing to be obedient to the one who called Him, named Him and saved Him.

See if John never went to the wilderness first, then how would He be equipped and ready to carry out the mission and hope of the Gospel message to those dying in sin?

To those haughty and proud Jews, and those looked down and despised Gentiles?

Or.

How would he prepare the way and make Jesus’s paths straight if he just remained in the wilderness; after hearing the Word of God? (which is where he was for his whole life basically)

How would he ever be able to “turn the hearts of the Fathers to their children and to prepare the way of the Lord.”

And so John went, He didn’t stay put, his time in the wilderness was for a purpose as we can see.

For us:

We Go as well.

And as we leave the wilderness, or whatever season God has us in, so our mission is the same as John’s. “To go” “proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins”

Matthew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””

See John didn’t do this on His own, He didn’t go on His own no He was filled, led and obeyed God.

Psalm 143:10 “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!”

God’s will for us is to go and make disciples; and He purposes the wilderness seasons in our lives; is to show us, provide for us and equip us for the work of the ministry of reconciliation to the lost and broken in sin.

So John did not stay put, their was a purpose for the wilderness and after the Word came to Him “he Went...”

But why?

3. Because Jesus was coming to empty the prideful, humble the tall and mighty and to level the opinions of man, and to exalt Truth that saves souls

Jesus is salvation; (Simeon said) John has come “proclaiming that a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins;

The forgiveness of sins, that which Christ has fulfilled on the Cross of Calvary!

Covering our sins with his prefect blood; that we might become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Now context: Jesus hasn’t yet even started his ministry, as John is now preparing the way and making the path straight for Jesus to enter, but Jesus was soon to come.

See...

If John were to proclaim this “baptism of repentance and forgiveness of sin” and Christ never died; and never fulfilled His ministry that John was preparing for Him to walk in. Then repentance and forgiveness are irrelevant.

But Jesus died On the cross taking our sin and shame upon himself, buried in the tomb, and rose again on the third day; therefore paying for the penalty of our sins; that we owed, so we can be forgiven and find new life in His resurrection from the dead.

John was to prepare the people; those who were not ready for the presence of Jesus: And we know Jesus would be baptized in the Jordan soon by John, He would heal, do miracles and teach parables; but even more so Jesus prayed “Father not my will but yours be done.”

Jesus has given Himself as a sacrifice on the cross for us; so our sins can be forgiven so we can be forgiven.

This morning have you trusted in Jesus as Lord and Savior from you sins?

Remember the Word of God came to John in a place that was dead (such as our souls before we know Jesus as Savior and Lord) So this morning you unbeliever, you skeptic; you who are hard hearted. God’s Word gives life; to our souls; the Word who is Christ His one and only Son.

I want you to believe that as John proclaimed this around the regions of Jordan, people wanted to repent of sin and be forgiven and be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins.

In other words this morning are you sins forgiven? (if you haven’t surrendered all of your life to Jesus then you are not forgiven)

Trust in Christ Jesus by grace through faith and be saved from sin, respond to the LIVING WORD OF THE LORD.

He is meeting you in your wilderness this morning!

And for us who are Christians this morning can we see...

1 Cor 6:19-20 “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (John was not His Own, He knew that; do we know that this morning?)

- We were bought with a price (that price was Jesus life so we can have life, and live obedient to His Word, Holy Spirit and His mission.

There is purpose in the wilderness for us, just like their was for John (you may be sitting on the pebbles and the rocks may be hot, but God has not forgotten you as you are his child)

Psalm 94:14 “For the Lord will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage;”

The wilderness, it is to prepare us for the mission to make disciples and shine the glory of Jesus to a lost and broken world, even if that means off with our head.

To Proclaim Christ and Him crucified, dead, buried and raised to life; is not a proclamation without repercussions; the world hates God; therefore they hate the message of Jesus, therefore they will hate us, but we don’t stop, because to live is Christ to die is gain and we love Jesus, and we are in for His mission.

The wilderness seasons are not wasted, useless seasons; as a matter of fact they are the most important, and needed seasons in A Christians life; as we look back The wilderness prepared John for a huge mission.

For the heat of the pebbles might of scared our feet; but Christ this day still bears the scars on His hands and feet for us.

Church from this text we can know God has purposed the wilderness seasons to make us look more like His Son, who gave it all.

They are a blessing, uncomfortable but needed, and we are not alone in the wilderness as the Holy Spirit and His Word are leading us; ultimately to prepare us to share the Good News of Christ with our life.

LORD HAVE YOUR WAY IN US!