Make Straight Paths

Mark 1:2-3 says, "I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way” — “a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”  This is a reference to Isaiah 40:3 which foretells of John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus and His ministry.

Straight paths are not always common.  Often roads and highways are crooked and uneven.  When a king planned to visit a city, the people would often build or prepare the road into town specifically for him and his entourage.  Though it was difficult, the people tried to make the road as straight and level as possible.  John the Baptist had this special honor to prepare the way spiritually for the coming of the Lord.  Thus, he preached a message of repentance for the forgiveness of sins and the coming Kingdom of God.

This is a message we are to take to heart and practice as well.  Our lives sometimes get crooked and out of whack.  We let sin and the world take control of our thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors.  As Christians, we prepare the way for the Lord by repenting of our sins and seeking to straighten out the areas of our lives that are not in alignment with God and His Word.  We do this so that Christ can enter in, and we can glorify Him as King of kings and Lord of lords.  Like John then, let us 'prepare the way for the Lord and make straight paths for Him.

God bless,

Pastor Darren