Prepare the way…

Prepare the way…. For a change of heart!

John the Baptist and Jesus share a history and family connection. Right from the start of Luke’s gospel we hear about John’s miraculous birth to his aged mother Elizabeth, and then we hear about Jesus’ birth. There are a number of other parallels between the characters too if you look for them! The writer of Luke is trying to make an important point: John the Baptist has been sent by God for a special purpose: we should pay attention to him!

In today’s reading John is preaching to crowds of people who had come to be baptised by him in order to prepare the way for the coming of Jesus. He doesn’t mince his words: if you are to accept his baptism you need to change the way you treat others. Tax collectors are to collect taxes fairly, Soldiers are not to exhort money or bear false accusation. If you are preparing to follow Jesus, John says, you’d better be prepared to change your ways.

John also makes it clear that he’s not Messiah, the one sent by God to save the world. In fact, John says, he’s not even fit to untie the thong of his sandals. John’s role is to prepare the way, to point to Jesus and to help us to get ready. John exhorts his followers to change their ways, and he baptises them with water. But Jesus, the one who John is pointing to, will baptise with the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ coming is going to mean not just a change of actions, but a change of heart. Are you ready?

What do you need to do in order to be prepared for the coming of Jesus this Christmas?