Preparing the Way of the Lord
When a king arrives, he is preceded by a herald. Trumpets are sounded, the people are gathered and the road is made ready so that the king is received with honor. At Jesus’ birth the angels heralded his coming, expensive gifts were brought to him and the people, both high and low, came to witness his arrival. Before Jesus began His ministry, He was once again heralded by the prophet, John the Baptist. His words were like a trumpet call: “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.” (Luke 3.4-6) In other words, the King is coming. Get your act together. Clean yourself up. Be ready to receive Him in your heart.
Luke was quoting Isaiah in describing John the Baptist’s heralding of the coming of the Lord. The voice cried out of the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord”. It was in the desert that the preparation began. Paul was prepared for his ministry in the desert, as was Moses, David and even Jesus. Jesus is about to encounter us and we need to prepare the way for Him. Don´t wait until a more convenient time. Even if it is a desert time for you, prepare for the Lord to come. Isaiah gives us five indications as to what this means.
First we are to make straight a highway for the Lord. No curves, no distractions, just a straight path. Keep your focus on Jesus. When you mind is set and your eyes fixed on the Lord, you are in a good position to receive Him. He is your heart’s goal and one desire. He will supply all your needs. Make a straight path to Jesus.
Next, we are to bring every mountain low. Every haughty look, self-righteous attitude and stubborn self-sufficiency must come down. It is a time to humble yourself before the Lord. God desires a humble and contrite heart. He resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. The highway of the Lord goes through the heart. Cast down the mountain of pride and the way to the Lord becomes easy.
Every valley is lifted up. Doubting and despair are removed. The negative outlook that keeps one looking down are to be rejected. Jesus, because of the hope set before Him endured the cross. In the deepest of valleys, the Lord will lift you up, so don’t wallow in self-pity. Lift yourself up with praise and thanksgiving. The Lord is on His way.
To prepare the way of the Lord we are to straighten the crooked places. Reject all double-mindedness. Be single in your desires. The Lord is to be first in your life. He is your first love. Carnality is when we are divided within ourselves. It is when we go after other desires than the Lord. This creates a crooked path. In preparation, return to your first love.
The last of this preparation check list was the leveling of the rough places. Here we must remove the stumbling stones of sin. Take out of your heart the thorns of rebellion. Confess your sin and you will be cleansed by the Blood of Jesus. As you do this the arguments the enemy has against you will be defeated. The way will be made ready. This results in the glory of the Lord being revealed and salvation coming to all who believe. It is time to heed the prophets cry. Prepare the way of the Lord.
Scriptures to meditate on:
Luke 3.4-6; Is. 40.3-8; 66.2; James 4.6; I John 1.9; Rev. 3.20