Prepare the Way of the Lord

John the Baptist is a strange figure in the Bible.  We first hear of him while he is still in the belly of his mother, Elizabeth.  He recognizes Jesus, the savior, in Mary's womb and leaps for joy.  We know little about the childhood of John, but as a close cousin of Jesus I'm sure that he and Jesus grew up together almost as brothers.

We next hear about John the Baptist as wearing clothes of camel hair, living on locust and wild honey.  What a sight he must have been.  I bet there were people wondering what that wierdo was doing on the banks of the Jordan eating bugs and proclaiming baptism for the repentance of sin.

Should we imitate John the Baptist?  I don't think wearing itchy camel hair and foraging for grasshoppers is the way any of us are looking to lead our life.  However, John's real purpose on the bank of the Jordan was to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord.  He was baptizing with water, but also proclaims that after him another will come and baptize with the Holy Spirit.  We know that is Jesus.

John was the trumpet that was blowing to announce the coming of the Lord.  He was unafraid to stand on the banks of the river and proclaim Jesus's arrival was near, so people needed to repent and be prepared.  He continued to do this until his death, by beheading, under the order of King Harrod.

We can follow in John the Baptist example and ready the world for the return of our King.  We should look for the opportunity to discuss our faith with friends and family, including the need for repentance.  We need to get the word out to today's society that Jesus is coming and to prepare for his return.

I don't know if you can buy camel hair clothes anywhere, but in this little post I will try to let John the Baptist live through me.  

Let this be your reminder that Jesus will come to be both our savior and judge, so be ready to proclaim his glory!