Luke 3: 4-6

Photo Credit: Kurt Kirchmeier

As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God’s salvation.’”

The “voice of one calling in the desert” that Isaiah prophesied was the voice of John the Baptist. In John’s day, before a King took a trip, messengers would tell those he was planning to visit to prepare the roads for him. Similarly John told his listeners to make their lives ready so the Lord could come to them.

To prepare for Jesus’ coming to us, we must prepare our hearts and minds to receive him. With humility and repentance, we can straighten the crooked paths in our lives and renew our commitment to God.