Advent 2025: Mon 1 Dec
Mark 1.2-3 Prophecy
2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:
‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way’ –
3 ‘a voice of one calling in the wilderness,
“Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.”’
Mark allows himself to quote from the book of Isaiah in the Old Testament. The first part is actually from Malachi (Chapter 3, verse 1). The second part comes from Isaiah (chapter 40, verse 3).
It might be argued that the main purpose of the Old Testament is to point to Jesus. The Old Testament tells of the establishment of God’s people, the Jews, and their relationship with him and others as prescribed in the Law, the essence of which is contained in the Ten Commandments.
God promises the Jews that while they live according to the Law he will be their protector God, but the Old Testament drops big hints that God is looking towards a new and more wonderful relationship based on love, grace and personal sacrifice on his part, a relationship that allows us to call him Father.
The messenger in Micah, the voice in Isaiah are pointers to the great prophet John the Baptiser, who will prepare people for the coming of the Messiah.
How do we prepare the way for the Lord in the way we live our lives?
Are there paths in your life that need some straightening?
Father God, there are still many who have not opened their hearts to Jesus. Would you inspire me to share the Good News of Christ Jesus, as you make a pathway into their lives. Amen.
A comment on our Advent music choice. Major earthworks will accompany the arrival of the Messiah – valleys will be raised, hills flattened. We are called to straighten our own crooked pathways in order to receive Christ into our lives.
Paul