TUESDAY December 6, 2022

Prepare for the Coming King

“For he [John] will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
Luke 1:15-17

The angel Gabriel brought a message to Zacharias. Even though past the age of childbearing, miraculously, his wife Elizabeth would conceive a son. In obedience, Zacharias was to name his child––John. The name John means “the Lord is gracious.” John would be a special child––set apart for God––a Nazarite. He would abstain from drinking wine. John would be filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb! John would have the same Spirit and power as Elijah.

John the Baptist was Jesus’ cousin. In God’s divine time, John would become known as John the Baptist. He was the forerunner to Christ. God would use him to prepare the way for the Messiah’s coming. John fulfilled the prophecy spoken by the prophet Isaiah: The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God” (Isaiah 40:3). This was John’s mission.

As God’s messenger, he would go before Christ to prepare God’s people for their coming King. His message was simple; he preached true repentance in hope that many of the children of Israel would turn their hearts to the Lord. John cried out: “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matthew 3:2). He made known to the multitudes that Jesus was “The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).

Everything that was about to happen was all by God’s divine appointment––according to God’s calendar and plan. We live our lives looking at calendars and making plans, especially at Christmas, but what about making plans for eternity? Will you turn to God and repent of your sin? Why not prepare your heart to accept Jesus as your Savior today?

This Christmas, accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. Give Him the gift that He wants––your heart, your soul, your life.
~Billy Graham~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!