Following after Jesus #9

We return today to Luke's description of the ministry of John the Baptist

3:3 And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 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.
5 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,
6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”

Matthew, Mark and Luke all record this prophecy from Isaiah 40, foretelling how the forerunner would come prepare people to receive the Messiah, the King.  This roadwork here is a picture of exactly would happen when the emperor was on the way - a road crew would clear a wide smooth path, removing every possible hindrance along the way - notice every valley, and every mountain needed to be leveled out, so there was open access for all.  People had to see their King; he had to get through.  But this King is unlike any other king, even the emperor of the great Roman empire; He came offering salvation to all flesh - all peoples and nations, not just Judea, or Israel, or even the empire, but all the peoples of the world.  This was not just an interstate highway; it was an international freeway, inviting people to come to the King.  The message of the Gospel is something everyone needs to see and hear. Don't be a roadblock or obstacle.