Before Bethlehem, before a manger in a stable, before wise men came with gifts or angels sang to shepherds, he recognized the Messiah. Before he ever took a breath of the cool night air or felt the warmth of another’s touch, he celebrated the coming of a new king.

Luke 1:41-42 (niv)

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!”

Before Mary asked how or Joseph changed his mind, his destiny had been written.

Prepare the way

While Simon and Andrew were still fishermen and Matthew still a tax collector, before any of the twelve laid down everything to follow the man they thought would change the world, he called out in the wilderness, “repent and be baptized.”  

Luke 3:15-16 (niv)

The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. John answered them all, “I baptize you with  water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with  the Holy Spirit and fire.

Before anyone heard from Jesus, John the Baptist prepared the way. 

It’s easy to think that the story of Jesus begins with that day, where the two met on the bank of the Jordan river. Where John baptizes Jesus and proclaims “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!” (John 1:29) It’s easy to believe that it starts with the disciples and the teaching and the temptations, but in all reality, the story of Jesus is as old as creation itself. 

Long before Jesus stepped into this world, God was already preparing for what had to be done. John was merely the next step in a long line of preparations.

What strikes me most is that John knew he was there to prepare the way, but he didn’t know exactly what he was paving the way for. He knew it was for Jesus, but what exactly that meant, he didn’t know. He dedicated his life, he eschewed society, he became an outcast, and all for something he didn’t quite understand. 

The bible is full of stories of people who think God isn’t working for them, when, in all reality, God is busy preparing them and the world around them for something great. The importance of preparation is shown over and over again. Paul acknowledges God’s work of preparation when he tells the Phillipians “he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)

God is always at work, preparing us for the plans he has. When we can’t see him move, it’s not because he doesn’t have something planned, it’s because the time isn’t right. He does nothing out of its time. Faith teaches us to wait and work with God to prepare ourselves, so when the time is right we can also point the way to Jesus. 

This doesn’t mean that everything goes perfectly. John, for all his work and all his sacrifices, doubted his calling before the end. 

Luke 7:18-19 (niv)

John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” 

As we prepare for the Easter season, remember that God took the time to prepare for the biggest event the world would ever see. He didn’t cut corners and he didn’t take shortcuts. Each thing happened in its own time. Remember that he’s doing the same thing in your life. And remember that even John the Baptist had to ask the questions sometimes.

What do you need to prepare for in your life? What do you need to sacrifice to prepare the way of the Lord in your own soul and in the community around you?

Over the next few weeks, you can find reflections here at vineyardrichmond.com. Use them to prompt yourself to focus on your faith in a fresh way. Each week we will consider a different theme as we build up to the resurrection event. On Mondays, we will draw your attention to a biblical focus on a character in the gospel accounts. On Wednesdays, we will reflect personally on how that theme affects our spiritual lives. On Fridays, we will focus outwardly as we consider how God is inviting us to engage the world around us for his kingdom. If what you are learning is meaningful to you, click one of the share buttons at the top of these posts to share it with your friends. Let this be a time of personal reflection and careful examination of our own hearts and minds.