WHEN the Messiah, who was “born King of the Jews” (Matt. 2:22Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. (Matthew 2:2)), was about to be made “manifest to Israel” (John 1:3131And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. (John 1:31)), God sent His messenger before His face, crying, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make Ibis paths straight” (Matt. 3:33For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. (Matthew 3:3)).
This call, through John the Baptist, and its meaning were well understood by the people of Judea, for in those days, as in Isaiah’s, and as now, when a great personage is about to travel across Palestine men are told off to prepare his way. The loose stones that ordinarily bestrew the roads like stumbling-blocks, are removed―the rough places where the weather has worn off the soil, are made smooth, and the broken-down parts of the roadway are built up. When the messenger of God proclaimed the coming of Jesus, the Messiah, the paths were never truly made straight, for the stumbling blocks remained about the way, and men were not ready in heart for Him.
While His kingdom tarries, may we not take up the cry, “Make His paths straight”? Away with pride and self-sufficiency; let there be true repentance, for the heart that would receive Christ in His gentleness and love needs to give all Honor and reverence unto Him.
The day approaches when, coming in His glory, the call will ring out, “Go through, go through the gates; Prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones!” for Israel shall yet be glorious, and the nations of the Gentiles shall fulfill this service for her, because Israel’s King shall reign in Zion: “Behold, thy Salvation cometh; behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him!”