In Mark chapter 1:1-8 Mark tells us about John the Baptists ministry. Have you ever stopped to think about how much impact John had on the ministry of Jesus? John says, "Make a straight path for the Lord to travel." In John's day, Whenever a person of royalty took a trip he would send people ahead of him to prepare the roads. Repairs would be made and anticipation would be spread from town to town as people awaited to catch a glimpse of the famous person. John cleared such a path spiritually for the ministry of Christ. He preached repentance and a baptism of forgiveness. This cleared a path for Christ and jump started a movement that would change the world and eternity. John did things out of the ordinary and out of step with tradition. Nothing wrong with tradition as long as it still works. But, the tradition of the Law was more of a burden. The gospel of repentance and forgiveness brought freedom and new life to the people who went under the muddy water of the Jordan river.
How can you make a straight path for the Lord to travel in your own life. John's words are more than just a message to a bunch of Bethanites on the banks of the Jordan river. I believe it is a mandate to the church and it's people of today. We need to clear a path and get ready for the spread of the gospel as we anticipate the 2nd coming of Christ. Take some time this week and think of some ways in which you can make repairs in your spiritual life and spread anticipation as we celebrate the advent season.
Just a few recent pictures
17 years ago
