Voice in the Desert

Mark begins his gospel like this:

"It is written in Isaiah the prophet: 'I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way' -- 'a voice of one calling the desert, "Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him."'

I imagine someone yelling at the top of their lungs, "Prepare the way for the Lord!! Make way!! He's coming!! Make straight paths for him!! Prepare the way!!" This person attracts attention. Those listening wonder who is coming. Some might go out to the road to help fill in those huge holes so royalty will not fall. Others begin getting the big rocks out of the road so this person can pass. The road must be made straight, the path cleaned and prepared. Preparation is necessary to receive the one coming!

How are we going to prepare?

Many times, I feel unprepared to receive the Lord. He desires to come close to work intimately with us. Yet, we fail to make the proper preparations. There are rocks in the way that prevent his coming close. I might even put up the fence of selfishness. As he comes near, he could disappear in the pothole of our consumption with TV and video games. The path is not made ready to receive the Lord.

John prepared the way for Jesus coming by preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Change was necessary before Jesus came. Jesus desires to be close. He wants to use you in powerful ways. You need to prepare the way for the Lord. Let us do this today!