Prepare the Way

During these weeks of Advent the church gets to be interrupted by the Baptizer. John, the Baptizer, enters into our Advent season with the bold proclamation that the “Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). What is there to be done in order to prepare for that Kingdom? In other words, what should done in order to prepare for Christ?

It’s quite simple…Hear the Word and let it do what it does; produce repentance. “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” (Mark 1:15). Hear the Word and let it do what it does; deliver salvation. “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

There are many different ways that people make preparations for big events into the future. During this season it may include decorating, cooking special meals, getting ready for family to come home or preparing for the big days of travel ahead. We all prepare for things whether small or big.

Shanna and I are currently trying to prepare for all the unexpected things that may come our way into the future as we make our way to Tanzania, Africa. There will be surprises on the road and yet we want to be ready for them. So, we prepare. We pack and repack things that we think would be beneficial for us in a foreign land. I wrestle which bins of books really need to go for the benefit of teaching men to become pastors. It can be daunting and yet we know the Lord is faithful in His grace toward us. In recent days our team in Africa notified us that we will be able to visit the town we will be living in before actually moving there in April. This will be more than beneficial for our preparations.

Preparation is important. Therefore prepare for Christ this season. Let the Baptizer interrupt your daily routine and welcome it. Our Lord’s desire is to be delivered into you through His Word. Let that Word prepare you all the more for how He delivers himself into you through His Sacrament. It’s an amazing thing to prepare for the salvation of the Lord.

A voice cries:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;
    make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up,
    and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
    and the rough places a plain.
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
    and all flesh shall see it together,
    for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” - Isaiah 40:3-5