“Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight…” (Isaiah 40:3).
As part of the body of Christ, we are Lord’s instruments to those in need of salvation.
The Omnipotent God makes a deliberate, conscious decision to use people to accomplish His will on earth.
It began in Genesis, when He gave man dominion over His physical creation. It continued with the incarnation, where God became man in Christ Jesus, restoring spiritual dominion to men. And it remains today in response to the Lord’s instructions to the nucleus of the early church: “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you” (John 20:21).
Being Sent in Scripture
We see an aspect of “being sent” in John the Baptist’s ministry.
“As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God’” (Luke 3:4-6).
Isaiah’s language was familiar to the Jews and as such they would understand the meaning of this passage. Originally, it referred to the return from their captivity in Babylon. It was customary in ancient times for marching armies to send messengers (or pioneers) out before them. These messengers were to proclaim their approach. They were also to remove obstructions and make roads.
Thus, the meaning in Isaiah is clear: do what needs to be done in preparing the way so travelers may trek easily and safely to their destination.
Spiritual Construction Work for Us Today
This has an application in the spirit for today’s believers too.
To prepare the way to set captives free through Jesus Christ, their individual road to Him needs to be leveled. Any mountain in their way must be removed through our prayers of faith. Obstructing hills are to be leveled by genuine intercession. Valleys must be filled with the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ. Their highway must be made level and straight through karios (perfectly timed) words as inspired by the Holy Spirit.
