January 3, 2011

Prepare the Way

Father, when You sent John the Baptizer to prepare people for the advent of Jesus Christ, You gave him cryptic instructions of what he must do.
As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’” (Luke 3:4–6)
I wonder if John thought about the ancient practice of eastern kings who sent heralds before them to clear physical obstacles such as crooked roads and high hills? If he did, how did he understand these instructions? He didn’t go buy an earth mover or hire a crew. Obviously Your Spirit showed him that these were figures of speech. The obstacles were not roads and rocks, but hard hearts and sin.

Today’s reading picks up this theme and the author dubs low valleys as dark and despairing attitudes of the heart, sinful and mean thoughts that need to be filled with hope and praise instead of doubt.

He speaks of mountains and hills as the pride of men and boastful self-sufficiency. Instead of this, people must be brought to humility and the realization that they need a Savior, their Messiah.

The crooked refers to deviousness of heart, all things evil and impure, wavering and rebellious. The rough places are given a similar interpretation. For these, only repentance and forgiveness can straighten and make smooth such a life.

Today I am reading a book that outlines the characteristics of people who are in varying stages of unbelief. Some are hard and antagonistic toward matters of faith, filled with pride and yet fallen deep in sin. These word pictures from Luke (which are quoted from Isaiah) are almost identical to the lives and needs of various groups of people today. What strikes me is that John had the same opposition to his message as I do. The same kinds of unbelief and obstacles have not changed in more than two thousand years.

Further, the solution is the same. Few people back then were ready for Jesus. John needed to “prepare the way” and he did so by calling out for repentance. Some may have mocked him, or shut their ears and turned away. However, many were in fear of the wrath of God and repented. They were baptized to show their change of heart.

John was not a popular man. He did point people to Jesus and Jesus also asked him to baptize Him, but eventually the plain truth he spoke ruffled feathers and the current leader beheaded this man. Not exactly a great reward for obedience.

However, despite the opposition there is still a great need to “prepare the way” for Jesus. I cannot say people need to prepare for His second coming (I don’t know when that will happen), but hearts certainly need to be made receptive to Your message and to the idea of faith in Christ for salvation, forgiveness, eternal life. How can they be prepared?

I’ve not been much of a herald. Some of those low valleys, high hills, crooked and rough people have figuratively done their best to cut off my head, or at least shut my mouth. This has discouraged me, yet I know that I have no excuse. John kept talking, telling people about Jesus and about their spiritual needs even when threatened. He obeyed You, no matter the danger to himself.

The book I’m reading says that only a small percentage of unbelieving people are antagonistic. Most are not, and many are eager to hear the gospel. You are encouraging and motivating me by Your Spirit to stop being a wimp. Even if You are not returning soon, You still want to make Your way into human hearts. The way You do that is by a verbal message: “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” (Romans 10:17)

Reading this passage again from Luke, the last few words are like the pealing of a clear bell. When Your people obey Your instruction to prepare the way, then people will see the salvation of God. Aside from the beheading part that makes preparing the way incredibly appealing.

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