Prepare ye the way of the Lord.
He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way for the Lord, as the prophet Isaiah said”.
John 1:23
When John the Baptist was enquired by the Pharisees and Levites,Who art thou? Are you Christ, he said”no, I am not Christ! Are you prophet? He answered “no”. Finally they asked again Who art thou? That we may give an answer to them that sent us What sayest thou of thyself? He answered “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way for the Lord, as the prophet Isaiah said”.
His name was divinely given. It was to be “John” (Lk. 1:13), which derives from a Hebrew term signifying “Jehovah is gracious.” John the Baptist was a man filled by Holy Spirit right from birth, separated for God’s kingdom work. He did not live a normal lifestyle as others. The description of John is brief and stark. He was arrayed in a “camel’s hair” garment, secured by a leather belt, and his diet was locusts and wild honey (Mt. 3:4).
He was directly trained by the Holy Spirit to be an Forerunner before Jesus Christ to prepare ye the way of the Lord’s first coming.
John’s mission can be summed up by one word, “preparer.” It was his happy chore to prepare people for the coming Messiah. Both Isaiah and Malachi had announced that he would “prepare” the way for the coming of “Jehovah” — a firm affirmation, incidentally, of the deity of Jesus.
Hence we come to know that John the Baptist had a major role to play. John preached about the coming kingdom and the need to repent. The Palestine in which the prophet’s ministry was launched was firmly in the grip of a grossly pagan force, the Roman empire. Moral corruption had made deep inroads into Judaism as well. Read carefully the second chapter of the book of Romans. It was into this world that John came with his piercing message: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mt. 3:2; cf. Mk. 1:4).
This preparing the way of Lord is now the major responsibility of the Church- every Born again believer. This kingdom work has been given to each one of us. Are we preparing the Way of the Lord? As the church awaits Jesus Christ’ second coming.It is the church’s responsibility to prepare the way of the Lord.
As Matthew 28:19,20 says “Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you. And see, I am with you always, even to the end of the age”. Amen.
Yes church it is our major responsibility & great role to play As children of God.(Church here represents each individual believer of Christ Jesus.) Making disciples Baptising them in God’s Holy triune Name Teaching them to observe everything must be life’s greatest priority. Praise Jesus. The best testimony given by our Master “Jesus himself. “Among them that are born of women there has not arisen a greater than John the Baptist” (Mt. 11:11).
Prayer
Lord all children of God has been blessed with many talents. God’s plan and purpose for each one is unique. Help us Lord to walk according to the will of the Father, so that we maybe used as instruments for the building up Of God’s kingdom.. In Jesus name we ask.Amen” To God be the glory “.
Sol.Celin Portia