October 15th, 2025 Devotional

Wednesday Devotion — The Voice in the Wilderness

Matthew 7:15–19 | Luke 3:1–23 | Matthew 11:7–11

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🕊️ The Setting — A Nation in the Dark

Picture Israel in the first century —

It’s been 400 years of silence since the last prophet spoke.

No visions, no fresh word, no open heavens — just waiting.

The people are weary. Rome rules their land with iron fists and high taxes.

The religious leaders — the Pharisees and Sadducees — have turned worship into a heavy burden.

The Temple is busy, but the hearts are empty.

Everyone’s waiting for a Messiah, but they’ve almost forgotten what His voice sounds like.

And then — in the wilderness — not in Jerusalem’s courts or synagogues, but out among the rocks, sand, and wind —

a voice begins to cry out:

“Prepare the way for the Lord! Make straight paths for Him!” — Luke 3:4

It wasn’t a politician or priest — it was John, the son of a priest who left the comfort of religion for the calling of God.

His message wasn’t polished — it was piercing.

He didn’t promise comfort — he called for repentance.

And the people came running.

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🔥 Who Was John?

John was the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, a miracle child born to an elderly couple who had given up hope.

Even before he was born, the angel told his parents he would be “filled with the Holy Spirit from birth” and would “prepare the way for the Lord.” (Luke 1:15–17)

He didn’t grow up in palaces or synagogues.

He grew up in the wilderness — away from luxury, away from compromise, away from distraction.

His clothes were made of camel’s hair. His food was locusts and wild honey.

John lived humbly — not for applause, not for comfort, but for calling.

And maybe that’s why people listened.

Because the ones who live in the wilderness are often the ones who are hungry —

hungry for truth, thirsty for righteousness, desperate for God to move again.

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💬 John’s Message — Repent and Return

When the crowds came, John didn’t flatter them.

He said,

“Produce fruit in keeping with repentance… Every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” — Luke 3:8–9

He was preaching fruit inspection before Jesus ever said, “You’ll know them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:16)

John confronted sin — not to condemn, but to cleanse.

He knew that repentance wasn’t about guilt; it was about preparation.

He was clearing the path for Jesus to walk right into their hearts.

And when people began to whisper, “Are you the Messiah?” John answered with humility that pierced the heavens:

“I am not the Messiah… He must increase, I must decrease.” — John 3:30

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✨ The Contrast — The True Prophet

John shows us what a true prophet looks like:

1. He Points to Jesus.

He didn’t build his own platform — he cleared the way for Christ.

He didn’t want followers; he wanted fruit.

2. He Preaches Repentance.

He didn’t avoid hard truths. He spoke them in love, so people could be free.

Real prophets don’t say what people want to hear — they say what they need to hear.

3. He Lives What He Preaches.

John wore humility like a garment.

He lived simply, spoke boldly, and obeyed fully.

He didn’t perform miracles or write books.

He didn’t gather crowds for himself.

He simply prepared hearts for Jesus — and that was enough.

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👑 Jesus’ Commendation of John

When John’s disciples later came to Jesus with questions, Jesus turned to the crowd and said,

“Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist.” — Matthew 11:11

Why?

Because John stood at the crossroads of two covenants — the last prophet before the Messiah —

and he used his voice not to draw attention, but to point away from himself and toward Jesus.

He was great, not because of miracles, fame, or followers —

but because of his faithfulness, humility, and obedience.

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🌳 Two Trees, Two Fruits — Matthew 7:17–19

Jesus said,

“Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.”

At first glance, both trees look alive. Both have leaves. Both may attract admiration.

But fruit takes time to grow — and discernment requires patience.

The question isn’t how gifted someone is, but how godly.

Not what they say, but what they produce.

A true prophet, like John, always bears fruit that leads people closer to Jesus.

A false one, like Balaam or the Pharisees, always bears fruit that feeds their own pride.

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💭 Reflection Questions

1. Am I following people who point me to Jesus or to themselves?

2. What “wilderness” season might God be using to prepare my heart for His next move?

3. Does my life reflect fruit in keeping with repentance — humility, obedience, and love?

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🙏 Prayer

Lord, make me a voice in my generation, not an echo of the world.

Teach me to walk humbly, speak truth boldly, and live purely.

May my life prepare the way for others to meet You.

Strip away comfort, pride, and distraction —

and let me be known, not for my platform, but for my obedience.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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🎵 Suggested Worship Song:

“Refiner” — Maverick City Music

“I want to be tried by fire, purified…

You take whatever You desire — Lord, here’s my life.”