Messiah Reflections
December 4 - Isaiah 40:3
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
In the Fort Henry Guard the pioneers were easily identified, they were big, burly, bearded, wearing white leather aprons, and brandishing a large axe. The pioneers went ahead of the column of regular troops to prepare their way, cutting paths and building bridges and anything else needed. Now Isaiah hears another voice, one of the heavenly councils, calling out to make the way of the Lord ready. To a people who thought themselves abandoned by their God, or He had been defeated by stronger Babylonian gods they hear that their God is now approaching on the highway they are to prepare. Rescue and redemption are at hand! They had been commissioned as pioneers, just as we are as having heard the same command. We too are called to begin preparing for the coming Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
December 5 - Isaiah 40:3
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Being prepared is an intentional act, like the insurance salesperson says, “People don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan!”. These past few months much has been required of us all, sacrifices have had to be made, new challenges in how we worship, work, play and be family, a biological or church family. It is equally true to say that as unprepared as we were for a pandemic much has been accomplished. But admittedly better preparation would have given a far more positive outcome. The same can be said for our relationship with God. Advent gives us the time we need to look deep inside ourselves and see if we have done all we that we can? Are we the people that our faith is calling us to be, or are there still things we need to repent of and better things to embrace? Let us heed the voice of one crying in the wilderness: prepare the way of the Lord!
December 6 - Isaiah 40:4
Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill made low, the crooked straight, and the rough places plain.
All shall be equal
During this past year, we have seen how we need everyone to collectively contribute to helping the human race. No matter where we live, or what our beliefs are, we are all impacted by the current worldwide concern, unless we already live in complete isolation. We see how our governments try to smooth the crooked and rough places in our society. Large mansions with elaborate entertainment features become obsolete, whilst the glorious outdoors is ever more appreciated. Our church buildings are no longer too large, and we have found new ways of connecting with each other. Slowly but surely, we learn what is important in this God-given life.
December 7 - Isaiah 40:4
Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill made low, the crooked straight, and the rough places plain.
Interestingly that the voice is the wilderness does not say that every valley will be filled, as every mountain and hill is made ‘low’. From a construction point of view it would make sense to use the nearest source of rock and dirt to fill in the valleys, the forementioned mountains and hills. You would think the thing to do would use the mountains and valleys to ‘fill’ the valleys. But the valleys will be ‘exalted’, the mountains and hills brought ‘low’. It reminds me of another passage, the Magnificat, wherein Mary sings: “He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. (Luke 1:52-53) The God of Israel is a God of justice and will administer justice for his people, with every expectation that they in turn will act justly in their own affairs. The Isaiah passage calls us to be agents of this justice, agents of change if you will. The faith of Isaiah and Mary is one of trust that God will fulfill his purposes. May we keep faith with their God and our God, do justice as well
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