For he is the one spoken of through the prophet Isaiah, who said: A voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way for the Lord; make His paths straight! Matthew 3:3 HCSB
I just finished watching the movie, “Killing Kennedy” based on the book by the same title written by Bill O’Reilly. The movie portrays that the plans for President Kennedy to visit Dallas, Texas were put in place months prior to the President’s visit. The secret service even discussed the tall buildings surrounding the motorcade and were hoping for rain so they could use a bubble on the President’s car. The weather cleared up and the bubble was not used, therefore exposing the President to the danger of a sniper’s bullet. The point is that it requires extensive preparation for the President of the United States to travel to any location.
John the Baptist challenged people to prepare the way for the Lord. John was the forerunner, preparing the way for Jesus to come. This verse in the Gospel of Matthew is based on Isaiah 40:3. Isaiah was one of the most influential prophets in the Old Testament, just as John the Baptist was an influential prophet in the New Testament. Both Isaiah and John the Baptist called on people to repent and turn from their sins. Those who listen, obey, and seek God’s forgiveness will find healing and the forgiveness of God.
Challenge: Those who do not know Jesus Christ as Lord need someone to prepare the way for them so they might understand and accept Jesus as Lord of their lives. Someone you know may be open to the Gospel of Christ. What are you doing to help prepare the way for him to know and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior?