It was now the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius, the Roman emperor. ... At this time a message from God came to John son of Zechariah, who was living in the wilderness. [Luke 3:1,3 NLT]
Ever wonder why people responded so greatly to John's message? What was it about this message from God that attracted so many to it? I think that it might be related to the idea of simplicity. In a sense John was not telling people what they did not really know. Most people understand that they are sinful.
The message that John offered was a simple one. Repentance. Baptism. Forgiveness. There was no preaching or teaching about Mosaic Law. Just a simple call to turn to God. This call was not like the one that demanded that followers obey religious rules. It required only a desire to follow the Lord.
This simple message holds true even today. People understand that they are sinful and need forgiveness. It is so simple. Yet so difficult. Simple because God is willing. Difficult because we are unwilling. We are hesitant to let go of control. Reluctant to walk into the water. Afraid of what it means to follow God
Help us Lord to repent. To let go of control. To trust you, with all of our heart, with our lives.
... this devotion is part of a series about John the Baptist.
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