A Voice in the Wilderness

In the wide wilderness of Judea, the sun shone bright on rocky hills and a small path. The cool Jordan River sparkled nearby. By the river lived a very special man named John the Baptist. He wore rough clothes of camel's hair with a leather belt, and ate locusts and wild honey. His face was tanned by the wind, but his eyes shone brightly. Standing by the river, he called out with a loud voice to everyone passing by, "Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!" This voice rang like a trumpet in the wilderness. People from Jerusalem and all along the Jordan — grandpas, grandmas, parents, and little children — came to hear him. They confessed their sins, weeping and saying, "I am sorry," and one by one walked into the Jordan River. John baptized them, and the water washed them clean. When they came up, smiles shone on their faces, as if they had new life. Some people in fancy long robes, with noses lifted high, came too, but only to put on a show. John said firmly, "Prove your repentance with your deeds!" Then John told everyone joyfully, "One mightier than I is coming! I am not worthy to carry His sandals!" Then, one bright day, Jesus came from Galilee and arrived at the Jordan. As soon as John saw Him, his eyes went wide. "You should baptize me!" he said. Jesus smiled, "Let it be so now." So John led Jesus into the river and baptized Him. The moment Jesus came up from the water, the heavens opened, and a gentle white dove, like the Holy Spirit, came down and rested on Him. Then a warm, loving voice came from heaven, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased!" Everyone looked up in wonder. This story tells us: God, through John the Baptist, called every person back to Himself in the wilderness — and He is also calling you. When we truly repent and turn to God, the Father's delight rests on us like that gentle dove.