Prepare the Way
- Bishop Keith Butler
- 9 minutes ago
- 2 min read
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. (Mark 1:1-5)
Mark started his writing by talking about the beginning of the gospel, not the incarnation of Jesus. The beginning of the gospel marked the invasion of God's Kingdom into human history. Before Jesus performed miracles, taught parables, or gathered disciples, God sent a voice in the wilderness. Before Jesus revealed Himself, God raised up someone to cut through the noise, confront sin, and raise a nation's expectation: a man known as John.John was a reset for the nation. Everyone in the country was baptized by John, except the Pharisees and Sadducees. His message was one of repentance so the people could receive Jesus. Repentance wasn't about feeling shame for wrongdoing; it was about acknowledging the wrong and making it right. It was about clearing the debris from their hearts and lives so the King could have a straight path.
After the nation changed and was hungry for God to move, Jesus came and was baptized— not because He needed forgiveness, but because He was stepping into an environment prepared by people expecting God to move.Before God promotes, He usually prompts us to change the areas of our lives that need to change. Revival begins with repentance and preparation.
Practical Application
Is there something you need to repent for today? It may not necessarily be overt sin, but perhaps there’s an area where you haven’t allowed God to speak to you or have refused to follow what you've heard Him say. Repent and choose to follow today.
Matthew 2:5; Luke 1:76