Into the Wilderness

Thistlebend Quiet eMoment

by Laurie Aker

Focus Scripture: Luke 7:24-35 ESV

24 When John’s messengers had gone,
Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John:
“What did you go out into the wilderness to see? 
A reed shaken by the wind?  
25 What then did you go out to see?
A man dressed in soft clothing?
Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing  
and live in luxury are in kings’ courts.
26 What then did you go out to see? A prophet?
Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.  
27 This is he of whom it is written,
‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.’
28 I tell you, among those born of women  
none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least  
in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
29 (When all the people heard this,  
and the tax collectors too, they declared God just,  
having been baptized with the baptism of John, 
30 but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of
God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.)  
31 “To what then shall I compare the people  
of this generation, and what are they like?  
32 They are like children sitting in the
marketplace and calling to one another,
‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’ 
33 For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and 
drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’
34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking,  
and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, 
a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’
35 Yet wisdom is justified by all her children.”
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John the Baptist went into the wilderness
to be away from the world
and alone with the Lord.

Others went out to seek after him
to hear what he had heard from the Lord.

God had sent him to the world to prepare the world for His Son.

Are you willing to leave the comfort of your preferences
and go to the wilderness to seek the Lord?
To hear from Him?
To hear from His messengers?

TAKING GOD’S WORD TO HEART

Will we all continue to just go on our merry way?
Or will we slow down and stop?
Stop long enough to hear God’s voice.
And when we hear it, turn.

Will we turn from our wicked ways?
Our sinful, selfish, self-centered, self-directing ways
to work out our salvation with fear and trembling?

Will we take our pursuit of Jesus this seriously?
Will we work this hard?
Paul says:

Philippians 2:12-13
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed,  
so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence,
work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
13 for it is God who works in you,  
both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

What does with fear and trembling mean?

Fear is absolute reverence for God and His Word and His Ways.
Trembling is the anxiety of one who distrusts
his ability completely to meet all requirements,
but religiously does his utmost to fulfill his duty.

Will we distrust ourselves, our ways, and the world’s ways
enough to leave everything?
Enough to head into the wilderness after the truth?
Even not knowing where we are going?
Just knowing that we are picking up our cross
and following Jesus.

MEDITATE or MEMORIZE

Write out the following passage from Luke 7 and recite it 3 times.
Take it with you throughout the day.

26 What then did you go out to see? A prophet?
Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.  
27 This is he of whom it is written,
‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.’
28 I tell you, among those born of women  
none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least  
in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

PRAYER

Lord, please help me to be willing
to put aside self for Jesus.

In His hands for His glory,

Laurie
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