WEDNESDAY 7 December, 2016
Make Ready a People
For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” - Luke 1:15-17
John, even from within the womb of his mother, was filled with God’s Spirit. When Mary, pregnant with the Messiah, visited Elizabeth, we read of his incredible reaction: And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb (Luke 1:41). John was likened to Elijah, a bold and powerful prophet, yet Jesus told His disciples: For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist (Luke 7:28).
As a man he would take upon himself the vow of a Nazarite; he would drink no wine or strong drink––he was set apart to God (Numbers 6:1-21). He preached in the wilderness of Judea and baptized many in Bethabara––beyond the Jordan. He was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey (Matthew 3:4; John 1:28). What was John’s compelling message?
Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight’” (Matthew 3:2-3).
Imagine, over the years, this same message is preached to the multitudes. Have you responded to the message and repented of your sins? Are you ready to meet the Lord, the one who sits on the throne of David?
Never will Christ enter into that soul where the herald of repentance hath not been before him.
~Joseph Hall~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!