Prepare the Way
No Wonder They Crucified Him • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 4 viewsBig Idea: To prepare our hearts effectively for Lent, we must actively engage in repentance and spiritual transformation, clearing away obstacles that hinder our relationship with God. Teaching: Through the message in Matthew 3:3, the sermon teaches that true preparation for the Lord involves more than just outward actions; it requires genuine heart transformation and repentance. Application: This sermon encourages Christians to reflect on their lives and identify areas needing spiritual renewal, helping them engage meaningfully with Lent as a time for repentance and preparation for the celebration of Easter.
Notes
Transcript
SLIDE: Scripture Matthew 3:3
3 For he (John the Baptist) is the one spoken of through the prophet Isaiah, who said: A voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight!
SLIDE: Title
Introduction
Introduction
Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of the prophetic call to prepare the way. His coming signifies a new covenant and a deeper relationship with God, highlighting the importance of living in readiness for His return.
A man illustrated his journey of repentance by comparing his life to a garden. He realized that for the flowers of faith to bloom, he needed to pull out the weeds of sin that choked his spirit. This meant confessing his faults and letting God till the soil of his heart, creating a space for new growth and transformation.
Today we will explore: The concept of preparing our hearts effectively for Lent, we must actively engage in repentance and spiritual transformation, clearing away obstacles that hinder our relationship with God.
Main Idea
Main Idea
The phrase “Prepare the Way” is a significant biblical theme that appears prominently in the prophetic literature of the Old Testament and is echoed in the New Testament. It is often associated with the coming of the Lord and the call to repentance and spiritual readiness.
Old Testament Context
Old Testament Context
The concept of preparing the way is rooted in the prophetic writings, particularly in the book of Isaiah. Isaiah 40:3-5 states:
SLIDE: Scripture Isaiah 40:3-5
3 Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, “Clear the way through the wilderness for the Lord! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God! 4 Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills. Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places. 5 Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. The Lord has spoken!”
Isaiah 40 is a pivotal chapter in the Book of Isaiah, marking a significant transition in the prophetic narrative. To fully grasp its context, we must understand the broader scope of the Book of Isaiah, its historical setting, and the theological themes it addresses.
The Book of Isaiah is traditionally divided into three main sections: chapters 1-39, chapters 40-55, and chapters 56-66. Chapters 1-39 are often referred to as "First Isaiah" or "Proto-Isaiah" and primarily contain prophecies of judgment against Judah and the surrounding nations. These chapters are set against the backdrop of the Assyrian threat in the 8th century BC. In stark contrast, chapters 40-55, often called "Second Isaiah" or "Deutero-Isaiah," shift focus to a message of comfort and hope for the exiled Israelites in Babylon during the 6th century BC. Chapters 56-66, known as "Third Isaiah" or "Trito-Isaiah," address the post-exilic period, dealing with the return to Jerusalem and the challenges of rebuilding the community.
Isaiah 40 serves as the opening chapter of the second section and introduces a profound change in tone and message. The historical context here is crucial: the Israelites are in Babylonian exile, having experienced the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 586 BC. This period of exile was a time of deep despair and questioning for the Jewish people. They grappled with feelings of abandonment by God and the loss of their homeland and identity.
Against this backdrop, Isaiah 40 begins with a powerful proclamation of comfort and hope. The chapter opens with the words, Isaiah 40:1-2 .
SLIDE: Scripture 40:1-2
1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.
This message is a direct and compassionate response to the suffering and desolation experienced by the exiled community.
The call to 'prepare the way of the Lord' in Matthew 3:3 is a challenge to clear the obstacles in our hearts, paving a path for Christ’s arrival. This isn't merely a historical call from Isaiah repeated by John the Baptist; it's a personal invitation to us today. During Lent, it becomes essential to evaluate and remove anything that obstructs our connection with God, whether it’s sin, distractions, or complacency. This preparation leads us to a deeper repentance and spiritual renewal, aligning our lives with Christ’s example and anticipating His resurrection at Easter.
At Taylor University for my last 2-years I lived in university owed apartment. I had a roommate who loved to cook but never cleaned. One day, he decided to prepare a fancy dinner; the kitchen looked like a tornado hit it. As I tried to help, I realized we couldn’t do anything until we cleared the mess. Sometimes, our hearts resemble that kitchen, and to truly experience Christ’s presence, we must be willing to tidy up our spiritual space!
In this passage from Isaiah 40, the imagery of preparing a way in the wilderness is symbolic of making a path for the Lord’s coming. It signifies the removal of obstacles and the creation of a direct route for God’s presence. The leveling of valleys and mountains represents the transformation required for the people to receive the Lord.
New Testament Fulfillment
New Testament Fulfillment
The theme of preparing the way is fulfilled in the New Testament through the ministry of John the Baptist (Jesus’ cousin). In the Gospels, John is identified as the voice crying out in the wilderness, as foretold by Isaiah. Matthew 3:1-3 describes John’s role:
SLIDE: Scripture Matthew 3:1-3
1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’ ”
Matthew’s Jewish audience was well acquainted with the scroll of Isaiah and this passage extracted from an extended prophecy about the end-times restoration of Israel (Isaiah 40:1—45:25). Matthew confirms that John the Baptist is “the voice” ushering in the beginning of God’s glorious future kingdom with the arrival of the King. John’s role was to prepare the way for the King’s advent.
Matthew 3:3 quotes the prophet Isaiah, calling for the preparation of the Lord’s way, signifying the coming of Jesus and the need for repentance and transformation.
Before John the Baptist was born, an angel of the Lord visited his father, Zechariah, explaining,
SLIDE: Scripture Luke 1:13-17
13 But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. 14 You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. 16 And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. 17 He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.”
After the baby was born, Zechariah prophesied,
SLIDE: Scripture Luke 1:76
76 “And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord.
Later, John the Baptist connected the dots between his mission and Isaiah’s prophecy, testifying,
SLIDE: Scripture John 1:23
23 He said, “I am a voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord—just as Isaiah the prophet said.”
John declares that Israel’s long-anticipated Savior is about to step onto the world stage.
In 1883, the eruption of Krakatoa caused massive disruption in the surrounding islands, devastating the landscape. Years later, nature began to reclaim the land, healing itself amidst the devastation. Just as Krakatoa transformed the landscape, our hearts often bear the debris of past struggles and sin. Clearing these obstacles allows Christ to commune with us fully and transform our lives. We must actively work to remove these hindrances, providing a clear path for His arrival.
John’s call to repentance and baptism was a preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ. His message emphasized the need for spiritual readiness and the turning away from sin to welcome the Messiah. The act of baptism symbolized purification and the commitment to a new way of life in anticipation of the Lord’s arrival.
Theological Significance
Theological Significance
The call to “Prepare the Way” carries deep theological significance. It underscores the necessity of repentance and spiritual renewal as prerequisites for encountering God. The preparation is not merely physical but involves a transformation of the heart and mind. It is a call to align one’s life with God’s will and to remove any barriers that hinder a relationship with Him.
In the early 1900s, a famous explorer named Ernest Shackleton set out on an expedition to Antarctica. The journey became perilous when their ship was trapped in the ice. Shackleton made the difficult decision to leave behind everything that was not essential to survive. This mirrors our own spiritual journeys, where we often cling to non-essential things that hinder our relationship with God. Like Shackleton, we must discern what truly matters and remove those barriers to keep our focus on Him.
In a broader sense, the theme “Prepare the Way” also points to the eschatological hope of Christ’s second coming. Believers are encouraged to live in a state of readiness, continually preparing their hearts and lives for the return of the Lord. This ongoing preparation involves living a life of holiness, obedience, and faithful service.
Practical Application
Practical Application
For us today, the exhortation to “Prepare the Way” serves as a reminder of the importance of spiritual vigilance and readiness. It calls for an active engagement in practices that foster spiritual growth, such as prayer, study of Scripture, and participation in the life of the church. It also challenges believers to examine their lives, repent of sin, and seek to live in a manner that reflects the character of Christ.
In summary, “Prepare the Way” is a call to action that resonates throughout Scripture, urging believers to ready themselves for the presence and work of the Lord in their lives and in the world.
In the 1800s, a well-respected politician attended church not for God, but for his public image. While he spoke of morals and community service, his heart was filled with selfish ambition. One day, a humble pastor addressed the congregation, emphasizing that God desires our hearts, not just our presence. This stirred something within the politician, leading him to rethink his life. He began to seek genuine repentance and change, illustrating that true preparation for the Lord happens when we align our hearts with His will.
Thus, true preparation for the Lord involves more than just outward actions; it requires genuine heart transformation and repentance.
