Preparing the Way

During the advent season we hear the phrase "prepare the way of the Lord" quite a bit.  But I started to wonder, what exactly does it mean to prepare the way of the Lord?  How is this manifested in our lives?

I began with John the Baptist, though you could go back even farther to Isaiah or any Old Testament prophet.  At the time of Christ's birth Israel was a nation in waiting.  They awaited the coming of the Messiah who would bring salvation and freedom to God's people.  John the Baptist came on the scene proclaiming the words found in Isaiah 40:3-5, "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.  Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low.  The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth.  And all mankind will see God's salvation."  John is not preaching about physical or geographical features.  Preparation for the Lord is a heart issue.  

In order to receive the salvation of God our hearts must be ready.  I think this begins when we come to terms with the depth of our depravity.  "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities -- his eternal power and divine nature -- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.  For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened." (Romans 1:20-21)  Even just seeing God's fingerprints in his creation point to his glory.  And when we come face to face with the Living God, we also come face to face with our sinfulness.  Only when we understand our need for mercy will we accept it.  Then our hearts are ready for a savior.

John the Baptist preached repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  His listeners understood their sinful nature and their need for Christ.  In this way John prepared the hearts of many people to accept Jesus as the sacrificial lamb of God.  

So what does this look like today?  How can we prepare our hearts for the Lord?  For nonbelievers, the way of the Lord is prepared by having a repentant heart and a realization of their need for a savior.  For believers, we are still preparing the way for the Lord as we await his second coming.  We wait with a sense of joyful expectation that "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6)

This Christmas season my prayer for you is that you would wait expectantly for the Lord, and experience anew the glory of God and the incredible love he has shown us in sending Jesus to be the savior of the world.