Saturday, December 18, 2004
John 1:19,20,23 Now this was John's testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Christ ... I am the voice of one calling in the desert, Make straight the way for the Lord."
THE STRAIGHT ROAD TO BETHLEHEM
Are you ready for Christmas? And I don't mean done with your shopping. Are you prepared within? Is your heart ready for Christmas? Are you ready to kneel in spirit before the Cradle of the Christ-child? Are you ready to offer Him your heart through a sincere and honest confession of your sins; a humble yet confident reliance on His mercy?
So that we might come to Christmas truly well-prepared, the Holy Spirit has thrown up a detour on our road to Bethlehem. He directs us first to travel northeast out of Jerusalem, down the rocky road that leads to the Jordan.
You know who awaits down in this hot river valley -- a desert preacher whose words strike the heart with more than a little heat. John, the son of Zacharias, is a striking figure in animal skins and a camel's hair cloak. You can sense that your reputation and pedigree cut no slack with him. With blazing eyes in deep-set sockets, bronzed and boney finger pointing, he greets us too with an urgent call to repent.
The Sanhedrin has sent out an official delegation to interview John. And the Pharisees too, whom many see as the real spiritual leaders in Israel.
"Are You the Coming One, the promised Christ?"
John's answer rings out, "I am not ... I am the voice of one calling in the desert, `Make straight the way for the Lord.'"
The testimony of John went back to Jerusalem with the Sadducees and the Pharisees. They quoted him quoting Isaiah. And so the Word worked in human hearts (e.g. Nicodemus, and Joseph of Arimathea).
And still the Word works -- calling for repentance and faith. Still the Word destroys all false notions about Jesus and His life's work, and still that Word testifies that He is the One anointed and appointed of God -- the promised Savior from sin's fearsome power and terrible consequences.
All of which prepares us to go on to Bethlehem on the "straight road" John pointed to with such earnestness. Now we can arrive at the manger ready to celebrate the Savior's birth rightly. 