Preparing the Way

Monday December 8, 2014

On 21 July 2013, media outlets worldwide held their collective breath as they waited for the birth of the child of Prince William and Kate Middleton. The baby was third in line to the British throne, and so when Prince George was born the next day there was hardly a newspaper or news programme that didn´t herald the announcement front and centre.

A star paid the Creator homage (Matthew 2:9), angels called out in worship, "Glory to God in highest heaven" (Luke 2:14) and shepherds and wise men travelled from afar to give Jesus the glory and gifts that He deserved (Matthew 2:11, Luke 2:15-16). But before Jesus was born, another baby entered the world. That baby grew to be the man called by God to announce His message of repentance and to prepare the way for the coming King. As we read in Luke 1, an angel heralded not only Jesus' birth, but also the birth of the prophet John the Baptist (v. 17). While in his mother´s womb, John leapt with joy as Jesus - while in Mary´s womb - came close to him (v. 41).

Later as a man, John began a ministry that paved the way for the greatest King the world has ever known. But while John made his own headlines, he ultimately came to realise the true identity of Jesus and to proclaim that He was the Messiah. All will bow to this King - stars and angels, shepherds and wise men. As Paul wrote, "Christ will be revealed from heaven ... the King of all kings and Lord of all lords" (1 Timothy 6:15).

Christmas stands as a vivid reminder of Jesus' identity as the King of Kings. May we prepare the way for others to bow before this King as we proclaim His good news this Christmas - Peter Chin

Read
Luke 1:13-17
But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous - to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

Revelations 5:6-14
Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
And they sang a new song : 

"You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals,

because you were slain,

and with your blood you purchased men for God

from every tribe and language and people and nation.

You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,

and they will reign on the earth."

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang : 

"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power 

and wealth and wisdom and strength

and honour and glory and praise!"

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:

"To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb

be praise and honor and glory and power

for ever and ever!"

The four living creatures said, "Amen", and the elders fell down and worshipped.

Question to Ponder

When you worship God, what image of Him do you most commonly hold in your heart and mind?
How can you prepare the way for others to hear the good news of Jesus the King this Christmas?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015 issue