On Sunday I preached from Matthew 3, focusing mainly on John the Baptist’s ministry and message as described in verse 3. Once I get the audio, I’m tempted to post it here to expose my limitations as a teacher to the world, adding some analysis of my style and content. That will truly be a test of courage.
Anyway, a key question in verse 3 is this: who is the “voice of one crying in the wilderness”? Is this voice the commissioning voice of God addressed to John, or is it the prophetic voice of John himself? If it is the former, then it is John the Baptist who “prepares the way of the Lord”. He does the stuff and, consequently, the application of the divine command is limited to this particular episode of redemptive history. However, if it is the latter, then it is those around John who are to “prepare the way of the Lord” - those who hear his voice - and not John alone.
Despite the ESV and NIV chapter headings unhelpfully stating that “John the Baptist prepares the way”, it seems more clear to me that the voice in the wilderness is the voice of John. Therefore, his prophetic command to prepare the way is addressed to everyone - those in “Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan” - and surely beyond. We also must receive the call to “prepare the way of the Lord” and “make his paths straight”. John the Baptist speaks to us, and not just to those who were with him at that time.
So, how do we prepare the way of the Lord? How do we make his paths straight? In view of John’s message of repentance, it seems appropriate to say that repentance is the means by which this is accomplished. Without repentance - without the changing of our minds from worldly concerns and priorities to heartfelt obedience to Jesus - then the path of the Messiah remains a worn, uneven rut. But, when our minds are set on things above, then his path to us becomes smooth and straight, well prepared for King Jesus to travel along. And as Jesus travels towards us along the prepared way, he comes to reign over us.
It is in this way - the way of repentance - that we enter the kingdom: the dynamic, active, living rule of God.
