The Way Back

A Series on Living in the Wilderness: Part 2
(Click on the link below to read the verses.)
Luke 3:1-20 

[This is Part 2 in a series of looking at people who lived in the wilderness. Not necessarily the wilderness of nature, but the wilderness of life. In fact, there are times when we all feel like we are living in the wilderness. During those times, it’s important to remember that the Lord is faithful. That He loves you and is always with you.]

 

In the 2020 movie, “The Way Back”, Jack Cunningham’s life was a disaster. His son had died from childhood cancer, and to deal with his loss Jack started drinking heavily. As a result, his marriage fell apart.

 

His life was spiraling downward when he got a call from his former high school principal asking him to coach the basketball team. It was a game that he loved and had excelled at, but coaching seemed impossible. Despite this, he gave it his best shot.

 

Slowly, coaching basketball looked like it would be his redemption until another tragedy occurred resulting in him falling off the wagon. Recognizing his problem, Jack went to a rehab facility and began his journey to a new life. John the Baptist had a story of redemption to tell also.

 

² … At this time a message from God came to John son of Zechariah, who was living in the wilderness. ³ Then John went from place to place on both sides of the Jordan River, preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven.        NLT

 

John was living in the wilderness eating locusts and wild honey and wearing camel hair clothing when God gave him this message of redemption. In that culture, it was a revolutionary message that didn’t require a system of sacrifices, but a changed heart that was to be reflected by how you lived.

 

John was a prophet in the mold of the Old Testament. He called the Pharisees and Sadducees a “brood of vipers”. He spoke out against Herod the Tetrarch for marrying his brother’s wife. Unfortunately, this led to John’s imprisonment and ultimately to being beheaded.

 

Despite his brief, and what would appear to be inconsequential life, he had a huge impact. He had disciples who believed in him. People from all backgrounds listened to him and did what he told them to show true repentance. He spoke without fear.

 

⁴ “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming!
    Clear the road for him!              NLT

 

This verse is a quote from Isaiah who prophesized that the Messiah would come. And when he did, it was expected that exiled Jews from around the world would also return. Israel would then be an autonomous nation, not under the oppressive rule of Rome. But John’s message was different.

 

In the movie, Jack’s wife said to him, “We can’t change the past Jack. What we can do is choose how we move forward.” In preparing “the way for the Lord”, John had this same message to show people “the way back” ... not a political message, but a spiritual one. The message is the same today for you and me.

 

Copyright 2022 Joseph B Williams