Prepare the Way of the Lord
Advent 2 December10 2006
o Advent time of preparation:
o Look inward : Sin, disobedient hearts,
o We examine our behavior/ similar to lent
o Purple hangings/purple candles -sorrow /repentance
o Blue –hope of redemption from sins –JOY forgiveness brings. (SALVATION)
o Time we change, we repent, prepare to make our hearts fertile soil for the good news of Jesus.
Key verse :Lk 3:2 “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”
o Luke makes a point of telling us the long ago prophecy from Isa:40 of the coming of Messianic Savior was about to be fulfilled this day in John’s ministry of repentance. Making the way for Jesus to appear on the scene.
o John’s Baptism –water for repentance of sin. Didn’t save or make whole with god but was to prepare heart for Christ.
o Jesus baptism with water and Spirit. In Christ we were made new creatures in God 2 Cor.5:17
o Bit of change of last verse: LK all flesh shall see the salvation of God. Isah: the glory of the LORD shall be revealed and all people shall see it together,
o The manifested Glory of God in Scripture always associated with Light. (Moses–bush/Paul–Damascus road) Salvation of God Is Jesus Christ the Glory of God The light that has come into the world. Glory of God.
o We are told of 5 things that had to happen for the Lord to come.
o Roads were straightened; valleys filled in and mountains made level; What was crooked was straightened and what was rough was smoothed out.
o When a King traveled the desert roads crew would go out before them to clear debris and smooth out the roads to make the kings trip easier.
o Luke was probably using this expression figuratively denoting that the Messiah’s way would be made smooth because through John a large # of people were ready to receive Jesus’ message.
o There was to be no obstacles in the way God’s Salvation
o Have we smoothed the way of our hearts to receive the Lord ?
o What roads in our lives need to be straightened.
o What valleys, holes or pits are causing us pain. Lift them to God.
o What mountain (trouble) seems so insurmountable that you despair and loose the Joy in Christ because you see now way to overcome. Give it to God.
o Those crooked paths , the things that distract us from Worship and giving thanks to God will be made straight and the rough ways made smooth through Faith in Jesus, The Light that came into the world to save the world. You & me
o The angel announced to the shepherds: LK 2:9-11 I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.
This Advent and Christmas season let us turn our hearts to our loving God , giving Him thanks always for our salvation and repenting of our wrong actions and attitudes and anything that separates us from him. Let us prepare our hearts so that there will be no obstacles in the way of Jesus residing in us in power and love so that we may be witness and examples of this Great light, JESUS MESSIAH, LORD.