Prepare the way of the Lord

Long before Jesus began His public ministry, God promised that a messenger would come to prepare the way for the Lord. Through the prophets, He declared that one would call people to repentance and readiness, announcing that the long awaited Savior was about to appear. John the Baptist fulfilled these prophecies, boldly proclaiming, “Prepare the way of the Lord.” His message pointed directly to Jesus Christ, revealing that the One who was coming was none other than the Lord Himself.

God: The LORD will indeed provide what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before Him to prepare the way for His steps. (Psa. 85:12-13)

Jesus: In those days John the Baptist came,  preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for this is He who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight  paths for Him.’ ”  (Matt. 3:1-3)

God: A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill made low; the uneven ground will become smooth, and the rugged land a plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all humanity together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” (Isa. 40:3-5)

Jesus: This is the beginning of the gospel of Jesus  Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, 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.’ ” (Mark 1:1-3)

God: “Behold, I will send My messenger, who will  prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord  whom you seek will suddenly come to His  temple—the Messenger of the covenant, in  whom you delight—see, He is coming,” says the LORD of Hosts.   (Mal. 3:1)

Jesus: And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him, to give to His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,  (Luke 1:76-77).

God: The word of God came to John, son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of  repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is  written by Isaiah the prophet: "A voice of one  calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way  for the Lord, make straight paths for Him. Valleys shall be filled in, and every mountain and hill made low. The crooked ways shall be made straight, and the rough ways smooth. All  humanity will see God’s salvation.”   (Luke 3:4-6)

Jesus: John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet: “I am a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord,’” He is the One coming after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” (John 1:23,27)

The call to “Prepare the way of the Lord” was fulfilled through John the Baptist, whose ministry testified that Jesus was the promised Lord foretold by the prophets. These passages demonstrate God’s perfect faithfulness in fulfilling His Word and provide another powerful witness to the identity of Christ. As Scripture reminds us that the Lord who came in humility will one day return in glory.