You’re seated in the theater, alive with anticipation. The lights dim. One character appears, an odd sort of a fellow. His solitary voice proclaims: “Prepare ye the way of the Lord.” The orchestra joins in; more characters repeat that one simple lyric. It builds until the hall is filled with the powerful message – “Prepare ye the way of the Lord!” Yes, this was the musical “Godspell.” Making this dramatic entrance was John the Baptist.

It’s in the third chapter of Matthew: “In those days John the Baptist came . . . saying, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near. . .Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.” John’s message was simple but passionate. Repent – get ready – the promised one, Jesus, is coming – and He’s coming very soon! Yes John wore camel’s hair. Yes he ate locusts and wild honey. But the people listened to John. They did repent and they looked for the coming of Jesus.

John’s dramatic story was foretold seven hundred years earlier by the prophet Isaiah. His drama played out on the streets of Jerusalem, where the people were suffering through the worst of times. Isaiah brought a word of hope. His message was majestic; his words powerful. Isaiah 40:3 “The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”

Prepare the way! Make straight the path! The message was foretold by Isaiah. It was fulfilled by John the Baptist. But what is it saying to you and to me? How do we make straight paths out of something that is crooked?  The best clue is in John’s call to action – “repent”.

Is that what it takes to prepare? Repentance is not so easy. It takes recognizing that we have a problem called sin; taking stock of what we’ve done (or failed to do). But the message to us is the same that was preached by Isaiah, the same that was proclaimed by John the Baptist. Prepare the way of the Lord, that is repent and make your hearts ready. Good words for this Advent season, too.  This Lord who comes loves you, unconditionally.

Judy

Matthew 3:1-6   In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.”
John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.