Running Up Ahead

“He is a voice shouting in the wilderness: ‘Prepare a pathway for the Lord’s coming! Make a straight road for him!’ ‘…he must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.’” Matthew 3:3, 30.

We have one of the first men in the New Testament era who understands dying to self. His message was perfect and was the precursor to the introduction to the King who had no Kingdom, and His pathway back to Heaven where He would reign. John the Baptist came to earth with a mission and accomplished God’s work with the zeal, passion and urgency for which he was created. He also understood that the work he did on earth would impact Heaven with eternal significance for all.

‘The word prepare refers to making something ready: the word pathway could also be translated ‘road.’ The picture could come from the ancient Middle Eastern custom of sending servants ahead of a king to level and clear the roads to make them passable for his journey.’ Life Application NT Commentary, p. 17.

We live in one giant wilderness of darkness on earth born with the same purpose of John the Baptist…to shine as lights in this wilderness pointing others to God. We must walk our roads of preparation ahead of the Second Coming with the same urgency and passion that John possessed. We are to be the King’s servants running up ahead of Him and clearing obstacles out of the way of His arrival. The first obstacle for which we must remove is our own self. We become our greatest obstacle to reflecting God’s character when we hoard the things of this world. We live our lives pursuing our own agendas, not necessarily reflecting on the agenda of God. We must remove the obstacle of flesh so we can show His spirit. We must call attention to the King instead of attention to ourselves.

Jesus came into this world as a suffering servant for us, and left this dark wilderness as a King who returned to His throne. We too will temporarily suffer on earth when we are living a life dedicated to God. But one fine day, we will remove our garment of flesh and replace it with the robe of righteousness. The goal of the Christian life is to become less so He can become greater.

'Prepare a pathway for the Lord’s coming!’