Sunday 8 December 2024
He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." (vs 3-4)
Background
"Prepare the way of the Lord." The season of Advent is preparation time for Christmas. In fact, it feels as if Christmas has already arrived. Christmas lights were switched on in my town in mid-November. Carols are playing in the shops and Christmas gift buying is well under way. Yet our Advent readings point to the deeper meaning of Christmas and what it might mean to be prepared for Jesus’ coming.
Luke’s Gospel, after a brief introductory prologue, begins by foretelling the birth of John the Baptist. When Zechariah the priest was on duty in the Temple, an angel appeared and told him that his wife, who was elderly and unable to have children, would have a son. The angel said, "He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’’ (Luke 1:16-17)
In the reading for today, John began his public ministry, coming out of the wilderness. The author is careful to identify the time and place of John’s ministry, locating his ministry in a particular period and among a particular group of people (vs 1-3). John called people to "a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." (v. 3)
Repentance is about expressing sorrow and regret for past actions. In the New Testament, it means to ‘turn around'. John called people to turn away from their sins – wrong actions, thoughts or attitudes – and to turn back to God. John is portrayed as a prophet, one who speaks words from God. The author emphasises this by paraphrasing words from the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 40:3-6). The imagery is of making a straight path on which the Lord could travel. For John the Baptist, this was about calling people to change their ways and be prepared for the coming of Jesus, who was already born but who had not yet begun his public ministry.
To Ponder:
- Why do you think people were drawn to John’s challenging words and responded (as we see they did in the following verses)?
- Does the call of John the Baptist to ‘prepare the way of the Lord’ have relevance for you this Advent? If so, what does it look like in your life to be ready for the coming of Jesus?
Prayer
Lord, help me this Advent to hear your voice in the midst of the noise around me and to prepare my heart for you. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Kate Cambridge
Kate is a presbyter in the Winchester Eastleigh and Romsey Circuit. In her free time she enjoys doing laundry (!), spending time with her family and wrestling ball point pens off her miniature poodle.