Prepare the Way

Mark 1:1-4 - " The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, ² as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”³
“a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”
 ⁴ And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins."


Even as John the baptist prepared the way of the Lord, we His church are to prepare the way for his second coming. Even as John the Baptist announced the coming of the Messiah which was great news, we are to announce the coming of Christ in the air to take His church home. We are to be heralds even as in the days of old when they would send messengers ahead of the king proclaiming His coming.


John not only  proclaimed the coming of the Messiah, but encouraged people to repent. In other words, people need to prepare themselves for His coming. This is the whole reason kings would send messengers ahead of them, so that the people would be ready to receive Him. It wasn't for the purpose of making people dance around with joy. It was for them to set right what wasn't right, and fix the city up and gather people together to welcome his coming. Those who feared that they might have offended Him or found disfavor with him would prepare to make amends. If the king found them unready, he would punish them or with hold his favor from them.


John was called to set the paths straight. What does this mean? It means getting everything and everybody ready for His arrival. It means putting everything in its proper place. It is making sure everyone is doing the right thing.

It is like when our president is going somewhere. There are many people who go ahead of him planning his stay and make sure everything is in place for the his arrival because he is an important person and a busy person. He doesn't have time to stand around as people scurry about trying to prepare for him. Everything must be just as it should be so that his arrival and time there may go smoothly. A lot of work goes into preparing for the arrival of a president. Much goes on behind the scenes.


What are you doing to prepare yourself and others for Christ's return?