Prepare the Way of the Lord!

Luke 3:1-14 During Advent, our minds are naturally drawn to our Lord’s coming as the Babe of Bethlehem.  But the next time that Jesus comes, he will not come as a helpless newborn.  He will come again as the Mighty Conqueror and Righteous Judge and Almighty King.

And so the preparations we must make this Advent Season are not so much about buying gifts and planning meals and keeping social obligations–but doing what is necessary to stand before the One who will judge the living and the dead and destroy this broken world with fire. 

The call of John the Baptist to “Prepare the Way of the Lord!” takes on new meaning when it is heard in this light!  And so…

The preparations we must make to receive our king when he comes again affect the very core of our being–the way we think and act and live out our lives.  To be truly prepared for our Lord’s return means that we must repent of our sins and turn in faith to Jesus for forgiveness.  That is the heart of God’s message to us today through John the Baptist.  St. Luke writes that:

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness.

While we may be tempted to “read past” these introductory words of historical setting, it is important for us to remember that this record of times and places and people is no less inspired–no less true–no less filled with Divine purpose-- than any other words of the Bible-- and they have an important purpose in strengthening our faith. 

They tell us that the story of Christianity is not like Greek or Roman mythology.  The story of salvation takes place in real places and real times among real historical people. 

These words about rulers and reigns are recorded in the bible because St. Luke wants us to know that what he is saying about Jesus is true–grounded in historical fact:  that at just the right moment–in the fullness of time-- God sent his Son to be our Savior-- and that Jesus will come again in glory at another particular moment in history.

In contrast to earthly kingdoms and rulers who come and go--the Kingdom of God and her Ruler endures forever and the preparations necessary to meet this heavenly king are very different than what we owe to the leaders of this world.  Luke writes that John the Baptist:

…went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying 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 become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’” 

In the ancient world, if Tiberius Caesar was coming to town you can be sure that months before the visit, extensive preparations would have been made for the king’s visit.  The town would be cleaned up, the pot holes would be patched, and the roads cleared of all obstacles.

The point is this: If those kinds of preparations would be made for an earthly king, how much more should we prepare for the arrival of our heavenly king?!

But it is not outward preparations that must be made for his arrival.  To meet Jesus we must prepare inwardly and spiritually and throughout our life. 

To be prepared, John the Baptist (the one sent to prepare the King’s way) says to us, “Repent!”  And so what does that mean?  What is repentance and how does it prepare us to stand in the presence of the King who comes to judge the world and save his people and destroy the wicked?

Repentance begins with taking a good, hard look at ourselves–not according to the standard of those around us or our culture–but in comparison to the holiness and goodness of God–measuring our lives by his holy will as it is revealed in the Law—asking ourselves:

Have I kept the Ten Commandments–not only outwardly but inwardly?  Have I kept the commandments that deal with my neighbor, loving him and serving him?  Have I kept the commandments that deal with my relationship with God?  Have I trusted him as I should?  Have I worshiped him as I ought?  Have I called upon his name as he commands? 

John the Baptist quoted the prophet Isaiah who spoke of every valley filled in– every mountain and hill brought low and every crooked way made straight.

When we examine ourselves in the light of the bright holiness of God we cannot help but recognize the dark truth about our sinfulness that permeates even our best works and good intentions–the truth that we are sinners who deserve God’s judgment.

But the Holy Spirit does not bring us to that place because he wants to see us suffer.  He brings s to sorrow over our sins because he wants to see us saved-- and the first step of salvation is the recognition that we need a Savior–that we cannot save ourselves. 

God wants us to see this truth about ourselves because there are so many folks who are confused about their spiritual condition.  John the Baptist said:

“You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” 

These hard words of impending judgement and the dangers of self-righteousness are still necessary so that we can be properly prepared to meet our King-- because people haven’t changed much in the last two thousand years. 

How many people have this terrible delusion that they are right in God’s sight because they are not as bad as someone else they know and they are doing the best they can? 

How many people will go to everlasting torment in hell because they believe that their good works entitle them to everlasting life? 

How many people are unprepared to meet the King because they think that having their names on the membership roll of some congregation will save them? 

How many people fight God every step of the way and refuse to throw themselves wholeheartedly on the mercy of God?  These are hard-hitting questions and they make us uncomfortable but it is better, by far, to be heart-broken over our sins and angry with God’s messenger than to spend a moment in the fires of hell! 

The voice of God through his prophet John the Baptist calls us to godly sorrow over sins-- but he does not call us to despair.  Instead, he calls us to faith in Jesus Christ, our Savior. 

That’s the second part of repentance:  a genuine, heartfelt trust that by the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross our sins are forgiven-- and that we are raised from a life of sin to eternal life by our Lord’s resurrection from the grave. 

Repentance involves a complete change of heart and mind and spirit–a change in the direction of our lives away from ourselves-- and towards Jesus.

It is in him (the God who condescends to put on human flesh and come to the rescue of his creatures) that we find salvation.  It is in the cross and empty tomb that we find forgiveness and hope and peace.  It is in Word and Sacrament that we receive these gifts of God’s grace.

Though we are stricken and cut to the heart at the recognition of our sinfulness, how much more are we lifted up by the glorious promise of God that there is forgiveness of sins and new life in the crucified and risen King—a new life that is intended by God to be lovingly lived out in our day-to-day lives.  St. Luke tells us that:

The crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”

            As we prepare for the arrival of the King, we are not called to go on a pilgrimage or enter a monastery or engage in some great act of heroic faith. 

Instead, we are called to live as who we are—his baptized, believing children—acting justly and loving mercy and walking humbly with God and serving our neighbor. 

Trusting in Jesus and living this way, we will be prepared to meet our king whenever his comes.  That is why the message of John the Baptist to us today is so important—but also his example. 

John conducted his ministry in the quiet, empty places of the wilderness-- so that the people would be drawn aside from their daily lives and the press of their schedules–so that they would have those all-important moments to hear the voice of the Lord and take stock of their spiritual condition.

That is still the Lord’s desire for you in this busy Advent season:  that you would come away with him to a quiet place–perhaps in your Advent devotions or in Mid-week vespers–and hear of what is truly needed during this season of watching and waiting–and that is to turn away from sin and turn to Christ for forgiveness. 

May God grant that in this way we are all truly prepared to meet our King when he comes again!  Amen.