God Always Prepares the Way

“Just as the prophet Isaiah had written: “Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way. He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’ This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven.“ Mark 1:2-4

The prophet Isaiah foretold of one who would prepare the way for the coming of the Lord. 400 years had passed since God last sent a prophet to Israel. The messenger’s voice would be that of one shouting in the wilderness. John’s message was loud and clear: turn away from your sins, for the kingdom of heaven is near.

Ever wonder why God sent a messenger ahead of the Messiah? If you look closer at the scriptures, you find that since the fall of man, God has been preparing the way back to him. The first glimpse we see of the coming Savior is in the very first book of the Bible when God tells the serpent that One is coming who will deliver to him a fatal blow. “He will crush your head,” says the Lord, “and you will strike his heel.” 

Throughout the pages of the Old Testament, God prepares the way. 800 years before Christ. Micah writes that he will be born in Bethlehem. 700 years before his coming, Isaiah foretells of the virgin birth. Hosea predicts the flight to Egypt. The Psalms detail the manner in which he would die for us. There are over 300 Old Testament prophecies concerning Jesus. All throughout scripture God is preparing us to receive his gift of salvation that will come through his Son, Jesus Christ.

Statistics show many adults hear the Gospel message anywhere from seven to eighteen times before they come to faith in Christ. God always prepares the way. He gives us ample time and opportunity to turn from our sin. The message is still loud and clear: turn away from your sins, for the kingdom of heaven is near