A Voice in the Wilderness
A voice is calling out: In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord. In the wasteland make a level highway for our God. (Isaiah 40)
Wow, it’s already December! Where has the year gone? With December comes Christmas and ALL THE PREPARATION.
Recently, I joined a conversation. We were discussing which holiday is everyone’s favorite. One individual thought Halloween was the best. Buy a bag of candy, have the children go door to door to get more candy, and it’s over. Christmas is the worst because of all the work. One individual said, “You can keep Christmas! I don’t want it.”
As I read today’s passage, I couldn’t help but think back to that conversation. We are in the season where all the preparation takes place.
The New Testament tells us the prophet Isaiah was talking about John the Baptist in today’s verse. He was given the task of preparing the way for Jesus. John the Baptist lived in a troubled time. The Romans were in control of the country. Many of the Jews were practicing their religion as an outward ritual and not a matter of the heart. The faithful were longing for the Messiah. After 400 years of silence, suddenly “a voice” appeared.
Put that passage in our “advent” setting. We can see an important role that Christians play in the world today. God has called us to be “a voice” calling out. We remember Jesus’ birth, but we also point out Jesus is coming again. Not as a baby, but as the Judge. Use this season to keep your heart prepared for his return. Also use this season to declare the victory that Jesus has won.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for sending John the Baptist who prepared your way. Thank you for coming as our Savior. In our troubled world we need that message of hope and forgiveness that you have won. Enable us too, to be voices preparing your way so that many more are prepared for your coming. Amen.