Prepare the Way

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Scripture: Matthew 3:1-3 (NIV)

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,

‘Prepare the way for the Lord,

make straight paths for him.’ ”

 

Devotion:

            This scripture can be found almost word for word in the gospels of Mark, and Luke. In it we are introduced to John the Baptist. Matthew identifies him as the one in Isaiah 40:3 who was to come announcing the arrival of the Messiah. John comes to us as one whom we would not pick to be announcing the coming of the Messiah. He is dressed strangely and eats a diet that is repulsive to the modern ear. Yet here he comes announcing the coming of the anointed one of Israel.

            What are we to make of this John the Baptist? He comes to us suddenly without any preparation. Telling us, indeed, commanding us to repent of our sins because the coming of the Messiah is right around the corner. John still speaks to us today. Because we do not know the day or the hour of Jesus return to earth in judgement. We must be ready for his return.

            Today, many people do not feel the need to repent. We have, in our modern culture, lost all sense of being sinners. Culture tells us that we need to think highly of ourselves and live only to please ourselves. The culture says that there is no heaven or hell or God or Satan we are alone in this universe, and we must live for ourselves.

            John’s call is ignored in our culture. Yet, this is a word that is desperately needed in today’s culture. We live in a time when sin abounds. In fact, we are in danger of being completely overwhelmed by the wickedness of our world. If we have any sense of holiness and godliness, we are acutely aware of our shortcomings as a people. We must repent, turn away from our self-centered ways and be made clean so that God can bless us again.

            In our culture John’s command to us seems quaint and outdated. We hear it and it no longer convicts us of our sin both as a culture and individually. Many of us have moved beyond the point of return. Our conscience is seared, and we are no longer capable of hearing this word of warning. Let us pray that we will somehow recover our ability to blush because of our sins and be moved to repent of them.

Prayer:

            God almighty, come to us in our spiritual bankruptcy and refresh in us our sensitivity to sin. Help us to see that you alone can prepare our hearts to receive you. Lord, rescue us from our sinful condition and restore us to fellowship with you and each other. Bring us to repentance. Lord, we plead with you to send your Holy Spirit upon us again and fill us with love for you and your commandments. Teach us to be obedient sons and daughters in your kingdom. Amen.

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