Trailblazers

When I was in school, history was probably one of my favorite subjects (besides p.e., lunch, and recess). I love the story of history, not necessarily remembering all the dates and names but the telling of the story. We have been blessed with some great men and women who helped shape our country, and some of them were men like Davey Crockett and Daniel Boone. They helped blaze a trail through the Appalachian Mountains so that our country could move west. I thought about them as I read about John the Baptist in Luke 1:76.

John came to prepare the way for Jesus. Think about those that might be preparing a way for others today. A road crew that came in to a new area to build a road for those who were coming later might have to use survey equipment to survey the best path. They might have to bring in big machinery to remove obstacles and smooth the land out. Finally, they might bring in some paving equipment to put a road down. What did John use? He also used some “heavy machinery,” as in the word of God. John preached the Word. No fancy clothes or church building. No light shows or video screens. Just the Word of God. Which makes sense when you read Romans 10:17. We have to believe the word of God can do more than we could ever imagine.

That message that he preached was clear. Repent. People have obstacles in their lives that keep them from Jesus. We call that sin. John called those people to repent or remove those obstacles that kept them from Jesus. A message that continues through the New Testament and should be proclaimed today. Some of those people decided to listen to God through the preaching of John. They repented of their sins and were immersed for the forgiveness of sins. Once they had the obstacles of sin removed and the path prepared, they were ready for Jesus. Two thoughts for you. What are you doing to prepare the path for others to know Jesus, and are you ready for Jesus?