Luke 1:76-79 -
“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
to give knowledge of salvation to his people
in the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
This is prophecy from Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist. The birth of John the Baptist runs in a parallel with the birth narrative of Jesus, as John the Baptist will pave the way for the ministry of Jesus. John the Baptist preaches repentance and baptized many in the acknowledgment of a need for cleansing due to sin. Jesus has already been called the Son of the Most High in Luke, and here we have John the Baptist called the prophet of the Most High. John the Baptist would be a very righteous man, a faithful preacher, a bit of an outcast, but other than that, he’s just like you and me. We can find our own title in this same formula, and in fact, we must: we are servants of the Most High, children of the Most High, disciples of the Most High. The inclusion of John the Baptist in the ministry of Christ is just another example of how the Lord in his graciousness uses ordinary people to accomplish his supernatural purposes. We are co-laborers in this mission.
This goal of John the Baptist to preach truth and make those ready for the coming of Christ is a magnificent activity. Look at his father says about him: he’ll “give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.” Every time we speak of Christ we are speaking life-saving words to the world, and opens the eyes of people to the tender mercy of our God. Consider these things: where do you fit? What’s your title today? How can you be “making way” for the Lord in the lives of others?
Hymn for Reflection: I Wonder as I Wander. Here’s a Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45khRvRfJOE&t=1s