In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:“A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”
-Matthew 3:1-3

The story of John the Baptist is found in each Gospel, with different bits and pieces of the story. His ministry was also foretold in the Old Testament, and yet he was a surprising choice, this man who wore clothes made of camel’s hair and who ate locusts and wild honey. But God often uses people that we aren't expecting.

John's ministry was teaching and calling people to repentance: "But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire." (vs. 7-10)

What does the Bible mean when it talks about "preparing the way" for Jesus? It's clear from John's example that this preparation is one of the heart. God uses John to reveal and stir up the conscience of the people; to stir up a true God-based sense of justice and morality, not just their own righteousness.

John's call was for the people to change their minds about how one becomes part of the Kingdom of God. Not just preparing the way for Jesus, but preparing us for the arrival of Jesus, our hearts.

The story of John reminds us to enter into this season of Advent in a new way: just as God sent John to prepare the way of the Lord, would you consider that there might be something more that God would like to do with each one of us?

Three Steps for this Advent Season
  • Prepare ("let every heart prepare Him room"): The Spirit dwells in our hearts, but there needs to be room for Him to move-- if our hearts are filled with bitterness or unforgiveness, we may find it harder to hear/respond to the Spirit. Take the time to pray and ask God to reveal if there's anything in your heart that is getting in the way. Practice confession, forgiveness.
  • Just Say No: The busyness of the season can drown out any voice other than the urgency and demands of the holidays. Take time to be silent before the Lord, and listen. 
  • Be Open and Listen: John appeared as an odd fellow, but he was a messenger of the Lord. Jesus was born in a manger and wasn't entirely what people were expecting, but He was the Messiah. We can often miss how God speaks because it doesn't come in the way we were expecting. Be open and listen, readying your heart for God to speak, for God to move, for God to heal. 

 

Missed this Sunday's sermon? Watch it here!

 

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