Matthew 3:1-4 "In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey."
The Greek word translated here as “came,” carried the idea “to have arrived (See Strong’s).” Webster’s 1828 Dictionary in part describes the word “arrived” to mean “to gain or compass by effort, practice, study, enquiry, reasoning or experiment.” My point is simply this: John the Baptist did not “just happen” to show up in the wilderness of Judaea when he did. God’s purpose was being fulfilled in John’s coming.
Isaiah (who was called in the Greek, Esaias) prophesied of the coming of John the Baptist (Isaiah 40:3) just as surely as he prophesied of the coming of Jesus. He did not come to major population centers (like Jerusalem) but instead came to the wilderness of Judaea where there were a few scattered villages. God drew people to John to hear his gospel of the kingdom of heaven (the grace covenant that we live in). His message was simple; turn away from idol worship and legal devotion.
John’s instruction was not given that we might determine the path that Jesus should walk, since He knew already what His path would be (John 18:37). The instruction was for those who desired the coming of the Messiah and sought His kingdom. It was instruction to us that His way was not complicated (laid out by a straight path). To walk in the way of the Lord, we must deny ourselves (Luke 9:23).
Dear ones, those who bring us God’s word of truth will not always come in fancy clothes or eating the finest of meats. Let us look beyond outward appearances and listen to the message. Let us examine that message to see if it supports the simplicity that is in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 11:3-4). May we give heed to the earnest voice of those that love the Lord, whom God has called and sent.