I saw an amusing picture the other day. It showed a road in rough shape, and the caption read, “In Britain they drive on the left side of the road, here we drive on what’s left of the road.” If a road is in bad shape, it will lengthen the trip and sometimes cause travelers to take detours. This is the opposite of what John quotes from Isaiah; he gives a picture of a straight path, a level road, a smooth highway. This is our task, to pave the way for the coming of Christ.
John helped start a good road, one that circles the globe, for the salvation of God has been seen by people all around the world. What began in the Jordan River has reached into every continent. We are part of the road construction crew. By what we say and do, we either remove the obstacles for Christ to come into the lives of others, or we create potholes and roadblocks that hinder people from receiving the love of God in Christ Jesus. May we be aware of the kind of road we are preparing.
Gracious God, give us the wisdom to make a smooth way for Jesus to come into our presence. Make us aware of obstacles we need to remove in order that our Saviour be unhindered in his coming among us. Amen. — DH