The Scriptures tell us that the “Voice in from the Wilderness” drew the multitudes from the towns, villages and the city of Jerusalem. It was some kind of drawing voice. Its remarkable how a voice from the remote place brought from the populous noisy places to the wilderness. The way that God chose to come from the remote to draw the peoples from the routine and their own lives to see a man, who Jesus even alluded to, when John’s disciples returned, “who did you go out to see?” Especially this is the question we desire to involve with here.
In times of great spiritual activity of the Holy Spirit there is drawing to the most unlikely places and circumstances. This is because the spirit of man is drawn to the deep things of God as Psalm 42 says; “Deep calls unto deep.” From the priestly activities, from the synagogue routines God drew them out from. More and more in times of great change God draws His people OUT so that they can be drawn IN to the centre of His purposes.
Drawn out
We are drawn out from the predictability and expected. We are drawn out of our comfort zone. John had made this a lifestyle.,..by forsaking his priestly heritage. He saw the emptiness of the wilderness as his fullness. He made the quiet his noise. He made the scarcity and sacrifice his joy. This is what happens when you are called to pave the way for great change. Your giving up is God’s giving in. The people already were unconsciously sensing changes, sense of revolution was in the air. John’s strategy and message would stave off political revolution for personal repentance.
Drawn In
They are drawn into the River Jordan, the barrier between the natural and supernatural. What we do at its edges determines what destiny we will tread.
They are drawn in to the River via a change of position spiritually, a change of perspective mentally, and a change of expectation emotionally. What is that position? A need to turn…toward God. A change of perspective in that they needed a Saviour, and a new expectation of hope. God was no longer using descendent blood as a qualifier, but faith in the Blood of the Messiah. God was to do a new thing. Forget the past…(Isaiah 43).
When you reside totally your voice will be given volume, more than all the noise that is around, and not only volume but authority. There are many voices then, as there is now, but wherever that voice of authority sounds people shall be drawn. John’s voice was distinct at that time, his message was change to be included in a new Kingdom. God is desiring that His people speak differently to the religious crowd. This different voice has a reverberation that draws out to draw in.
Today the “gospel of total inclusion, total freedom, total common destiny” is spread abroad, where no matter how you live, is permitted, you will share in a heavenly destiny, as will everyone, even if they did never relate to God via His Son. This false gospel is coming into the flock also. It is imperative that voices like John the Baptist break through this false religiosity.
The Message starts with our actions. John broke away from human expectations, broke away from priestly expectations. Broke away from the comforts of normal life. These steps etched on his heart the message that from the remote place would shake all those who heard it. Its not enough to have the right words, say the right prayers, make the correct sacrifices. Your radical pursuits in the model of what God leads you in, will shape and generate the voice of authority.
The voice from the remote place showed how distant the people had become to God. God could not speak or move from the Temple. The Temple was now a house without Glory. God took a man who deprived himself so that he could fill himself with that which delighted God Himself.
May we find that process and become that Voice.
Maranatha!!!
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