Devotion 4/7, Prepare the Way of the Lord

[John the Baptist said when asked if he was the Christ, the Messiah:] “I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him. The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.”    John 3:28-29

There is a portion in Luke that goes hand in hand with this study of the role of John the Baptist: Luke 1:76-78, And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising of the sun will come to us from heaven.” Zacharias is speaking of his son John the Baptist here. John the Baptist was the forerunner to Christ, he came as a “voice in the wilderness” to the people of Israel (John 1:19-28). Some at this time wanted to believe that John was the Messiah and wanted to treat him as such, but he quickly puts that false thinking to rest in John 1:20 where he says, “I am not the Christ.” Then they thought he was Elijah the prophet, to that he also said “no”. When they asked “then just who are you”, he replied in John 1:23, “I am the voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’ ”

In Isaiah 40:3 the prophecy of John the Baptist is foretold. He indeed was the “voice” that the people should listen to. He did not pose as a great man to be praised and admired, but as a voice – not to be seen, but only to be heard. John was the voice but Christ was the Word (John 1:1).

John the Baptist is an incredible example of a servant. He lived his life for one central and controlling purpose — to prepare others to recognize, welcome, and follow Jesus Christ as Messiah and Lord. Can you think of a greater purpose for your life? Let’s live so that when our last days approach, we can also say, “That joy is mine, and it is now complete,” because we have prepared the way for Jesus to enter the hearts of those we love and will leave behind when our life is over.

Holy and Righteous Father, please use us to prepare  the way for your Son’s return. Use us to encourage others to know and to receive Christ Jesus as Messiah and Lord. In his name, the name of Jesus of Nazareth, I pray. Amen.  https://youtu.be/PHP_L2TU6hY?feature=shared