BE PREPARED!

 

as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.’ ”  (Luke 3:4)

 

The Boy Scout motto is, “Be prepared!”  That should be the motto of every person.  The message of Scripture can be summed up as, “Be prepared!”  The Old Testament prophet, Amos warned, “Prepare to meet your God!”  (Amos 4:12).  The New Testament prophet, John the Baptist came with the same message.  Are you prepared?  Let’s make sure.

 

In Luke 3 we note THE HERALD OF THE KING (v.1-20).  He issued a call to LOOK!  He points people heavenward, “And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” (v.6) They would see salvation in the Savior.  In ancient times this is what a herald did—he went before the king to prepare the people for his coming.  Potholes were filled, barriers removed, crooked roads straightened, and a crowd would be gathered in anticipation of the monarch’s arrival.  Spiritually speaking, this is what John did as the herald of King Jesus.  Deep valleys of depravity were to be filled, high mountains of haughtiness and self-righteous religion were to be removed, crooked ways of living were to be straightened, and rough ways of talking were to be silenced.  John’s practice of baptism was an outward expression of an internal experience.  It pictured repentance.  It was repentance, however, that brought remission of sin.  The water could never cleanse from sin, but it would be a confession of cleansing.  John was plain that true repentance was not just fear (v.7) but must lead to fruit (v.8a).  True repentance isn’t just about feeling sorry, but being different (v.9-14).

 

Luke 3 also presents THE HOLINESS OF THE KING (v.21-22)  There is need to LISTEN!  To the voice of the Herald was added the Voice out of Heaven.  This is the Father’s affirmation of the absolute faithfulness of His Son.  For the 18 years after the episode in the Temple, He lived a spotless life.  This makes it all the more remarkable that Jesus comes along with sinners to be baptized by John (v.21a).  He was identifying with them—and that was His mission. He was declaring His death, burial and resurrection.  God did not leave us in our hopeless state, but He came to us!  Christ’s purity was reinforced by prayer (v.21b).  He would have the anointing of the Spirit for His ministry (v.22).  Followers of Christ need to emulate His actions.

 

Then, Luke 3 declares THE HERITAGE OF THE KING (v.23-38)  There is a lesson to LEARN!  The royal lineage was what qualified someone to be a king.  Jesus’ heritage extends back to Adam, so that He was fully man, but then to God—so He was fully God.  God set Adam in the Garden and gave him dominion, but in disobedience that was forfeited.  Now, Jesus comes as the Last Adam that by His obedience all that the First Adam lost will be restored.  Following this, Jesus will march into the wilderness and do battle with Satan.  When Satan questioned the Word of God, Adam and Eve were deceived and disobedient.  But, when Satan questions Jesus, Christ will rely on the Word of God and overcome the wicked one.  He is eminently qualified to be our Savior and to reign over us.

 

He will reign forever and ever. The consummation of human history and the coronation of Heaven’s King is coming—and I think soon.  The big question is, “Are you prepared to meet Him?”