Day 11: Isaiah 40:3 & Malachi 3:1
A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” & Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me.
Chronologically, Malachi was the last recorded prophet before John the Baptist (to whom Malachi 3:1 & Isaiah 40:3 refer) arrived on the scene about 400 years later. According to Malachi, God would send his messenger and the messenger would prepare the way before God.
John the Baptist prepared the way preaching a focused message: “repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mt. 3:2). For 400 years after Malachi, people lived anticipating a messenger and then the Lord. Breaking the silence was angelic activity surrounding Jesus’ and John’s births. An adult John called for repentance and baptism; preparing the way for the Lord. John proclaimed a Lord who would judge. A Lord who gave up the riches of heaven and took on flesh, to save us from our sin. The kingdom of heaven arrived with Jesus. Christmas is a sentimental and joyous time, but the purpose of Advent was Jesus bringing the kingdom of heaven to earth. And a greater realization of that kingdom is coming. How are you preparing, today, for the eternal kingdom of heaven?