PARABLES
Make Straight the Way, John 1
“And he confessed and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” He said,… “I am a voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.’”
John 1:20,23
No, we are not John the Baptist just as much as he was not the Christ, Jesus, who was about to step out onto the scene. John was a prophet like none before him, though he told the Pharisees that he was not “The Prophet.” He was part of the family of Jesus, His cousin. John grew up with Jesus and has his whole heart and ministry focused on letting people know that Jesus, the Messiah, was here! He was preaching, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand, repent now” (Matthew 3:2).
Aren’t we all called to the same? We are to bring awareness to all people, such as John did, and help them to understand and believe in Jesus. If we do not fulfill this calling, who will? Are you relying on the person sitting next to you? Your neighbor? Your coworker? Jesus Himself said that if we do not do the work of heaven, then we will have no part or place in heaven. As you read through the Gospels you’ll pick up on this idea and truth.
So now, today, we are to “Make Straight The Way!” It is God’s will that we follow in the footsteps of Jesus on a daily basis. All day we should be focused on pleasing God, not man, by living like Jesus lived, and no, that does not mean that you have to sleep in the wilderness or other people’s homes from night to night!
As we purpose ourselves to be like Jesus we must keep at the front and center of our mind and thoughts that, “who I’m talking to right now may not know who Jesus is.” When we make straight the way, we are proclaiming to the world, “Repent now, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And being that we are all created in God’s image, as John knew very well, with a message such as the one that he delivered, we should be wanting to deliver this [good message and news] to every person we interact with on a daily basis.
When was the last time you deliberately shared God’s word, and Jesus, with another person? I am not saying to preach to them, but to share Jesus’ words with them!
John, called the Baptizer, was on a roll. He already lived in the wilderness – kind of like Moses, he had a following and a gathering of disciples who he was leading and teaching – not much different from King David in his Old Testament days; and he was completely radical in his approach to life and the ministry of his day. John had one goal in life and did not care what others thought, and didn’t let anyone stand in his way.
John made straight the way and prepared people for the uprising of Jesus. John preached repentance, and many came to him to repent and be baptized. People wanted to know then that they could be accepted by God. People want to know today that they can be accepted by God. People have not changed in their truest desire to be seen and known intimately. We need to lead them to the truth that who really matters and cares the most – God. They need to know that God is the only one who will ever truly see them and know them more intimately, and who they truly are, than anyone else ever can and will.
Prayer
Abba, Father God, I thank you that 2000 years ago You made a way for us to come to know You intimately as Adam knew You in the Garden of Eden. I am so grateful that I have the ability and opportunity to grow in my relationship with You every day. Please put in me a growing desire for more of You every day. In the Name of Jesus, Yeshua HaMashiach, our Messiah. Amen!
Questions for Further Thought
When was the last time you deliberately shared God’s word, and Jesus, Yeshua, with another person?
What can you do on a daily basis to “make straight the way” for other people?
Who in your circle of friends, coworkers, acquaintances, etc., who you interact with regularly needs to have their path straightened? What is it that they are doing that is keeping them from approaching God and entering into a relationship with Him?
