Prepare the Way of the Lord
Mark 1:2-3: "As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'"
This messianic prophecy was spoken by the prophet Isaiah 746 years before the birth of Jesus Christ. It was foretold of the ministry of John the Baptist, the one who would come to prepare the people for the Word of the Lord and the way of the Lord. Isaiah initially wrote these words to the Israelites who would find themselves in the Babylonian exile. He foretold of a day when the Lord would come to his people. What glorious news that would be to those living in a foreign land. There was no temple; there was no grand gathering to worship the Lord every Sabbath. Instead, they were among foreign people and their pagan gods. The Israelites had been stripped of their homeland, stripped of their traditions, and stripped of the fellowship they once enjoyed with the Lord and with each other. It was into that pain and desperation that the words of Isaiah would penetrate with hope.
The king would come and preparations needed to be made. In those days, travel could be quite rough. When a king was expected, they would go out and prepare the roads - fill in holes, flatten the path, clear away the debris so that the road would be comfortable and safe for the king. Isaiah alludes to that kind of preparation and intentionality. This time, however, it is not just the king of a nation, but the king of the world.
The ministry of John the Baptist was to prepare the people to greet their king. Like the Israelites in the Babylonian exile, the Israelites in Jesus' day had experienced great oppression, this time under the rule of the Romans. They longed for the day of the Messiah whom they believed would come and make all things right. He would conquer the Romans, establish the nation of Israel, and restore peace to his people. Sadly, the nation of Israel had expectations that the Messiah would meet but not in his first coming; the Messiah will restore all things and establish his reign at his second coming.
Messianic prophecies often carry a dual fulfillment - the first and second coming of Jesus Christ. We have been blessed to understand the significance of Jesus first coming and to know to await his second coming. Advent is the season in which we are called to remember and rejoice in the first coming and prepare ourselves for the second coming.
Just as God's Word held true to the first fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy, his Word will hold true for the second fulfillment. Jesus will come again. His second coming will not be as a humble baby but as the reigning king. Are you ready?
Reflection:
Do you put your full trust in the Word of the Lord and the promise that Jesus will come again to establish his kingdom, to make all things right, and to judge the nations? Are you ready for this second coming?
This messianic prophecy was spoken by the prophet Isaiah 746 years before the birth of Jesus Christ. It was foretold of the ministry of John the Baptist, the one who would come to prepare the people for the Word of the Lord and the way of the Lord. Isaiah initially wrote these words to the Israelites who would find themselves in the Babylonian exile. He foretold of a day when the Lord would come to his people. What glorious news that would be to those living in a foreign land. There was no temple; there was no grand gathering to worship the Lord every Sabbath. Instead, they were among foreign people and their pagan gods. The Israelites had been stripped of their homeland, stripped of their traditions, and stripped of the fellowship they once enjoyed with the Lord and with each other. It was into that pain and desperation that the words of Isaiah would penetrate with hope.
The king would come and preparations needed to be made. In those days, travel could be quite rough. When a king was expected, they would go out and prepare the roads - fill in holes, flatten the path, clear away the debris so that the road would be comfortable and safe for the king. Isaiah alludes to that kind of preparation and intentionality. This time, however, it is not just the king of a nation, but the king of the world.
The ministry of John the Baptist was to prepare the people to greet their king. Like the Israelites in the Babylonian exile, the Israelites in Jesus' day had experienced great oppression, this time under the rule of the Romans. They longed for the day of the Messiah whom they believed would come and make all things right. He would conquer the Romans, establish the nation of Israel, and restore peace to his people. Sadly, the nation of Israel had expectations that the Messiah would meet but not in his first coming; the Messiah will restore all things and establish his reign at his second coming.
Messianic prophecies often carry a dual fulfillment - the first and second coming of Jesus Christ. We have been blessed to understand the significance of Jesus first coming and to know to await his second coming. Advent is the season in which we are called to remember and rejoice in the first coming and prepare ourselves for the second coming.
Just as God's Word held true to the first fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy, his Word will hold true for the second fulfillment. Jesus will come again. His second coming will not be as a humble baby but as the reigning king. Are you ready?
Reflection:
Do you put your full trust in the Word of the Lord and the promise that Jesus will come again to establish his kingdom, to make all things right, and to judge the nations? Are you ready for this second coming?
No Comments