“Behold, I send
My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You. The voice
of one crying in the wilderness: `Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths
straight.'” (Mark 1:2-3 NKJ)
My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You. The voice
of one crying in the wilderness: `Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths
straight.'” (Mark 1:2-3 NKJ)
One of my faults
pertains to interruptions. I don’t like them. They irritate me. I suppose that
I am not alone in this idiosyncratic fault. But I don’t like it because as a
husband, father, and pastor irritation is not a good trait. And I constantly
battle the temptation.
pertains to interruptions. I don’t like them. They irritate me. I suppose that
I am not alone in this idiosyncratic fault. But I don’t like it because as a
husband, father, and pastor irritation is not a good trait. And I constantly
battle the temptation.
I only bring this up
because John the Baptist reminds me of it. John was God’s messenger sent to
prepare “the way of the Lord” and most of Israel didn’t want to be
interrupted. People were too busy with their lives to accept and receive God’s
interruption.
because John the Baptist reminds me of it. John was God’s messenger sent to
prepare “the way of the Lord” and most of Israel didn’t want to be
interrupted. People were too busy with their lives to accept and receive God’s
interruption.
Many people heard
John’s invitation to prepare and shook their heads in unbelief. They were too
busy to allow the interruption. Others heard, but didn’t pay attention because
they didn’t think it was important. God was not a truly significant part of their
lives, so God’s message wasn’t important enough to stop and listen or even
consider. And these people missed out on the greatest message ever given to
mankind.
John’s invitation to prepare and shook their heads in unbelief. They were too
busy to allow the interruption. Others heard, but didn’t pay attention because
they didn’t think it was important. God was not a truly significant part of their
lives, so God’s message wasn’t important enough to stop and listen or even
consider. And these people missed out on the greatest message ever given to
mankind.
God’s message
through John is a preparation message. The Lord Messiah is coming. Prepare the
way of the Lord into your hearts. Give him a straight path into your lives.
Straight path preparation? What’s up with that?
through John is a preparation message. The Lord Messiah is coming. Prepare the
way of the Lord into your hearts. Give him a straight path into your lives.
Straight path preparation? What’s up with that?
John message was
that repentance would produce a remission of sins and water baptism would be
the proof of our preparedness (Mark 1:4). Repenting of sin is our preparation
to receive God’s Anointed One as Savior and Lord. And it isn’t a
once-for-all-time exercise. Rather, repentance is a daily,
state-of-preparedness activity.
that repentance would produce a remission of sins and water baptism would be
the proof of our preparedness (Mark 1:4). Repenting of sin is our preparation
to receive God’s Anointed One as Savior and Lord. And it isn’t a
once-for-all-time exercise. Rather, repentance is a daily,
state-of-preparedness activity.
Christmas reminds us
of the Lord whom we prepare to receive. He is personalized in a baby lying in a
stable manger. In the night outside the city, his angels interrupted a few
shepherds to emphasize the significance of his identity and our need to seek this
Savior. But for the majority of the populace, there was no room for God’s
interruption.
of the Lord whom we prepare to receive. He is personalized in a baby lying in a
stable manger. In the night outside the city, his angels interrupted a few
shepherds to emphasize the significance of his identity and our need to seek this
Savior. But for the majority of the populace, there was no room for God’s
interruption.
Dear Father, thank
you for your interruption of love. Empower us to prepare our hearts and
maintain our preparation for your return. I pray this in the name of Jesus.
AMEN
you for your interruption of love. Empower us to prepare our hearts and
maintain our preparation for your return. I pray this in the name of Jesus.
AMEN
Prepare the way of
the Lord into your heart today,
the Lord into your heart today,