What Jesus Did! 'The Famine Is Over!' — Matthew 3:5-6

Sunday, January 19, 2025

People from Jerusalem and from all of Judea and all over the Jordan Valley went out to see and hear John [the Baptist]. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.
— Matthew 3:5-6 NLT

Key Thought

There is something self-revealing in God's word when presented in all of its liberating and uncomfortable truth. God had warned his people many years earlier through Amos that there would be a famine for God's word, a time when the voice of God through the prophets would go silent. John was the re-awakening of God's voice through a prophet. There was a clarity and ring of truth in his convicting message. He called people to a life-change through the confession of sins and baptism. People flocked to hear him, and then changed their lives based on his message from God. John was not in a convenient location. He didn't have money or power to gain an audience. What was John's attraction? It was that God's voice was recognizable in his preaching. The famine was over! People flocked to feed on the truth of God!

Today's Prayer

Holy and righteous Father, give me a love for your truth and a passion for your word. Through your Spirit, please enable me to understand and apply your truth in my daily life. In the name of my Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Amos 8:11-12
  • Matthew 21:25-26
  • Matthew 11:7-10

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Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 3:5-6 NLT — People from Jerusalem and from all of Judea and all over the Jordan Valley went out to see and hear John [the Baptist]. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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