Prepare the Way . . .

Who was this John the Baptist?

Scripture gives several different descriptions of him, "My messenger", "the voice of one crying in the wilderness" "just a voice", but who is he?

We know other things about him, that he dressed in camels hair, and ate wild locus and honey. We know that he was bold, for we read of the things he preached, and we also know that he was imprisoned for his ministry and eventually was beheaded. But who is he?

He was a righteous man who ministered before the Lord. He understood what the role was for a minister of Christ. 

"To prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight" (Mark 1:3). Before royalty would enter a town, a servant would be sent out to prepare the path. To ensure that the roads were as smooth as possible, and if there be holes or ditches to fill in the holes and patch the ditches. The servants role was to get the appearance worthy for royalty to come through.

What a beautiful picture painted for us in serving and ministry,

Are you truly being a servant? Sent out, faithfully doing your job to prepare the way of the Lord, to do your best in all you do, that the appearance may be worthy of royalty, that the road may be as smooth as possible. 

It is not our job to bring people to salvation, but to prepare the way of the Lord that He, through His Spirit's working, may bring sinners to salvation, change His people, and bless the work of our hands for His glory.

We often become discouraged or stressed in our ministry when we are attempting to do that which we are not called or equipped to do. It is not your role, as a minister of Christ, to see a great work of God go forth, you cannot cause that to happen, but you can, and you are called to, prepare the way of the Lord, that all may be "Straight" or ready, that His Spirit may freely flow in the midst of a people, in the midst of a ministry, in the midst of your life, without hinderance, that His work may be done--that His name may be glorified and lives may be changed.

We are to do the groundwork for His coming...not always a glamourous job, not always in the front where others can see, often times behind the scenes work that no one knows about, fixing that pothole, or putting together those children ministry packets, but in it all, God sees, and it is the preparing of these things that allows royalty, His Spirit, to come through smoothly and touch the hearts of His people.

Let us not grow weary in doing good, but to prepare the way of the Lord.

John declared, "I indeed baptize you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit" (Mark 1:8). John understood that He could not cause the Holy Spirit to work, but he could use that which was available to him, "water" to prepare the way for the Lord to do His work.

Are you using the "water" or that which is available to you to prepare the way of the Lord? Perhaps it is a pen and paper, or a ball to play sports, perhaps it is a open hand to greet those who enter the Lord's house, muscles to set up chairs, arms to push a broom, Perhaps it is an instrument, perhaps it is your voice, perhaps it is a puppet, perhaps a needle and thread, use that which He has given to you, to prepare the way of the Lord.

John was nothing to behold with the eyes; yet many were coming out to see him, because what he said was genuine. was refreshing to those who were desiring the truth. he was simply on fire for Jesus Christ, and they came. He did not advertise, have a cool coffee shop, money, etc. He simply was real. true. and this was light to those who sought after light--whose hearts were ready to receive. God is seeking for genuine ministers. those whose hearts are set on doing their job to prepare the way, and who are real, genuinely loving God. Seeking nothing else...just to live the truth.

John the baptist was simply a man, who sought after righteousness. Understanding that righteousness could only come through Christ in Him, and as he lived "rightly", preparing the way of the Lord, Christ would be glorified and be His righteousness before God the Father.

Father, please take our lives, lead us, send us out to the path that You have planned for us, the ministry You have ordained for us to prepare for Your way, for Your working, for Your glory. (Eph. 2:10). Amen.