Prepare The Way

Have you ever thought about the prophetic calling of John the Baptist and how it aligns with the prophetic calling of the church? Let’s begin with John. John the Baptist is the prophetic fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah.

Isaiah 40:3-5 (NLT)

Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, “Clear the way through the wilderness for the LORD! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God! 4 Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills. Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places. 5 Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. The LORD has spoken!”

That prophecy from Isaiah was written some 700 years before Jesus was born in Bethlehem. God was announcing the purpose of John the Baptist 700 years in advance. John would come shouting and preaching, but shouting and preaching what?

• Prepare the way in the wilderness…He’s coming!

• Make a straight highway through the wasteland…He’s coming!

• Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills…He’s coming!

• Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places…He’s coming!

• Remove everything that might separate you from God…He’s coming!

Let’s fast forward to the time of John the Baptist as recorded by the Gospel of Matthew. Remember, these two writings are some 700 years apart.

Matthew 3:1-3 (NLT)

In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, 2 “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” 3 The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said, “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the LORD’s coming! Clear the road for him!’”

Can you see it? Can you see the prophetic call of Isaiah and the prophetic shouts of John the Baptist in the church today? Let me explain.

John was sent by God to prepare the people of Israel for the first coming of Jesus. Prepare the Way…remove everything that might be in the way of Jesus’ arrival. Make a straight path in the wilderness of Israel for the arrival of Jesus. Prepare the way and clear the road…He’s coming.

What about the church? What is our calling today? Is our calling similar to that of John the Baptist and the prophecy of Isaiah? I’ve often thought that the overall mission of the church was like that of John the Baptist. We are to prepare the people around us to meet God, because He’s Coming!

How do we prepare the people of earth to meet God. How do we prepare the way for ourselves and others. First, we must preach the same Holy Spirit message that John preached. John revealed the sin of the people and called them to repentance. This is something that many churches are reluctant to do today. We must remove anything from our lives that separates us from God (make the path straight). John’s message was clear…Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” (Matthew 3:2).

John told the people about the wrath and judgment that was coming to those who refused to repent and believe in Jesus as Messiah. Many churches are reluctant to teach this truth today. This teaching of John was to Prepare the Way for the coming of Jesus and it is the same truth the church must use to prepare the world for the second coming of Jesus.

Matthew 3:7-12 (NLT)

But when he [John the Baptist] saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee God’s coming wrath? 8 Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.

9 Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. 10 Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire. 11 “I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12 He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.”

The church is on a worldwide mission to Prepare the Way for the second coming of Jesus. We are called by God to prepare the people of earth to meet God (through the clouds or through the grave). John’s mission was localized. Our mission is worldwide. John and the Church both received the gift of the Holy Spirit at their birth so that their mission would be fully accomplished.

Did they listen and believe the message of John? Will they listen and believe the message of the church?

Ezekiel 2:4-5 (NLT)

They are a stubborn and hard-hearted people. But I am sending you to say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says!’ 5 And whether they listen or refuse to listen—for remember, they are rebels—at least they will know they have had a prophet among them.

Prepare the way…Clear the road for Him…He’s Coming!

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper