“a voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’” (NIV) Mark 1:3 & Isaiah 40:3
The gospel of Mark begins with a prophesy from the Old Testament prophet Isaiah. Some 700+ years before Christ’s birth, the prophet Isaiah said that John the Baptist would be ordained to prepare the way for Christ’s coming. John’s job would be to challenge people to turn from their sinful ways and instead, look to God. He would bring the good news (the gospel) to the people of Jerusalem. That good news could be summed us as: “Here is your God” (Isaiah 40:9).
John the Baptist was to prepare a path out of the wilderness of a lost world and lead people to Jesus. Jesus commands all Christians to do the same. We are called to share the good news. . . to be a voice in the desert preparing the way to the Lord. Today’s desert may not be the same as the desert John the Baptist preached in, but any life filled with sin is a wasteland.
Who do you know that needs to know the way to the Lord? Who do you know that is struggling for a new direction, searching for meaning, for protection, for peace, and for truth? Can you remember how desperate things were for you before you knew the good news? . . .when you were stuck in the desert?
You don’t need to know all the answers. Christ is the answer! You just have to make a path for them to Christ. Reach out, tell them how following Christ has changed your life. Cry out to them “Behold your God!”
Written by Marji “Mike” Kruger
