Prepare The Way

Prepare the Way

It began just as the prophet Isaiah had written: “Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way. He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the LORD’s coming! Clear the road for him!’” This messenger was John the Baptist.

Mark 1:1-4

He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.

Luke 1:17

What happens at your house when guests are coming? Do you clean up things that are messy, fix things that are broken, make plans for how you will welcome your visitors? As God prepared to send his Son into this world, he sent someone ahead to get things ready. He had promised that he would do that, so some people were watching for that individual. Two Old Testament prophets (Malachi and Isaiah) had prophesied that before the Messiah came, a messenger would come who was sent by God.

John the Baptist was the person God sent to prepare his people for Jesus. It wasn’t food or beds that needed to be prepared; it was hearts. It was John’s mission to call people to repent—to leave behind their sin and turn back to God. John prepared the people for Jesus by helping them get their hearts ready.

God knows our hearts need to be prepared to receive Jesus. You’re probably busy preparing for Christmas with parties and programs and presents. But are you preparing your heart to receive Jesus? Have you cleaned out the clutter of sinful attitudes and selfishness? Are you looking expectantly for Jesus to make himself known to you?

DISCUSSION STARTERS

Think through what you do to prepare for company at your house. How can you do similar things to prepare for Jesus?

When Luke says that John came in the “spirit and power of Elijah,” it means he proclaimed judgment. How does an awareness of our sin help prepare us for Jesus?

What are some practical ways we can prepare to welcome Jesus into our celebration of his birth?