On Sunday, we continued in our Advent sermon series, Songs of Advent, by looking at the “Song of Isaiah:” The voice of one crying the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord.

In fulfillment of these words of the prophet, some 700 years later, the Word of the Lord came to John (the Baptist), who then preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. (Luke 3)

Those who received the Word of the Lord preached by John and were baptized by him, thus prepared the way–their hearts–for the coming of the Lord. And so, “tax collectors and sinners” flocked to Jesus and received Him, when He did come and stand in their midst. But those who rejected the Word of the Lord as preached by John and refused his baptism also rejected Jesus. Those who could not see their need of repentance OR forgiveness, had no reason to receive Jesus–their Salvation.

The question of Advent for you and me is: When Jesus comes again, as He has promised, will we receive Him? Will we be ready? The answer is determined by whether and how you and I have received the Gospel Word that tells of His first coming. 

If we receive the Word of the Gospel (the good news of our Salvation) with penitent hearts and true faith, we prepare ourselves for the coming of the Lord! When He comes, we will receive Him, gladly. But if up to now, we see no reason for repentance or His forgiveness, we have no reason even to look for the Lord’s coming. When Jesus comes, He will not find us ready. 

Prepare the way of the Lord! Repent (turn from sin) and by faith receive His forgiveness, today!