Jesus is Coming: Prepare the Way
“What you fear, you revere.”
Luke begins the ministry of John the Baptist by naming some of the most powerful people in the world: Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate, Herod, Philip, Lysanias, Annas, and Caiaphas.
These were names associated with political, religious, and cultural power. To the average person living under their authority, they probably seemed to be the people controlling the world.
But then Luke writes something remarkable: “The word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness.” — Luke 3:2
Not to Caesar.
Not to Pilate.
Not to Herod.
To John. In the wilderness.
That should encourage us. The people who appear to have power are never more powerful than God. Governments change. Leaders come and go. Circumstances shift. Diagnoses come. Families struggle. Economies rise and fall.
But God’s plan keeps moving.
Sometimes fear convinces us that what we can see is more powerful than the God we cannot see. That is why we need to remember:
God sees when we can’t see. God knows when we don’t know.
John entered the wilderness proclaiming, “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” His assignment was to prepare people for Someone who was coming.
Jesus.
The valleys would be lifted. The mountains brought low. The crooked made straight. The rough places made level.
God was preparing a road for the King. And that preparation involved repentance.
Repentance is more than feeling badly about sin. The Greek word metanoia carries the idea of a changed mind that results in a changed direction. John wasn't preparing people merely to feel something. He was calling them to turn because Jesus was coming.
That same question confronts us today: What needs to be prepared in me?
Are there valleys of discouragement where you have stopped trusting God? Mountains of pride where you have stopped depending upon God? Crooked places where compromise has slowly become acceptable? Rough places of bitterness, anger, fear, or unforgiveness that you have allowed to remain?
Don't prepare the way so Jesus will love you. Prepare the way because the Savior has come for you.
Luke ends the quotation from Isaiah with an incredible promise: “And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” — Luke 3:6
Salvation isn't ultimately found in circumstances becoming easier, governments becoming better, health becoming certain, or everything in our families working out exactly as we hoped.
Salvation has a name. His name is Jesus.
So, whatever you're facing this week, whatever you're afraid of, and whatever wilderness you're walking through—remember Jesus.
Turn to Him. Trust Him. Prepare the way.
Because God is still working, God is still in control, and God is still good.
Do you believe that?