God’s Emergency Alert System

On Wednesday all cell phones in the US sounded off about 11:20am with a message from the US government. FEMA conducted a test of the emergency alert system that warns the public about emergencies. In the past, I remember these kinds of tests of the emergency broadcast system on TV and radio but this is the first time I can remember it on cell phones. It makes sense though since most everyone seems to have a cell phone on them these days. I'm sure today's alert was a big surprise to those who have cell phones but aren't familiar with all their capabilities. My parents fall into this category. Hopefully they weren't too startled :).

I think we all agree that an emergency alert system is a good idea. When something important needs to be communicated, it's crucial to have a way to do that. If there were an emergency or disaster of some kind, we would want information. It seems to me that schools, the government, and other organizations have been gradually getting better at this and developing their communication processes. In a certain way, I think John the Baptist at the beginning of the New Testament was like an emergency alert system to the people.

At the beginning of the New Testament in Matthew 3, it says, "In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.'" Then referring to Old Testament prophecy about John, it says, "A voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'" Between the Old Testament and the New Testament, there was a period of approximately 400 years where God was silent. Then John showed up on the scene preaching a message of repentance and the breaking in of God's kingdom. This was earth-shattering news! If there was such a thing as an emergency broadcast system that could send a message to everybody, I think John the Baptist would've used it and put his message in ALL CAPS!

The people were living in spiritual darkness and John knew they needed this information. Their lives depended on it! John called them to humble themselves before God and prepare their hearts for the arrival of the Messiah. It says that many people went out to him confessing their sins and being baptized in the Jordan River. John's message served as an emergency alert. The gospel and the good news of Jesus is also an alert to us. We must understand it and respond. Our spiritual lives depend on it! And if we already believe, we, like John, must alert others to the message of Jesus' love and forgiveness.

God bless,

Pastor Darren