Title: Prepare the Way of the Lord
Content "Comfort my people" How? “The time of imprisonment is finished, and their iniquities are forgiven” (verses 1, 2). The New Testament says, “Prepare the way of the Lord” (Luke 3:4). It means 'Think of the future'. It is about preparing for the future and paying attention. In fact, the present exists for the future. The future is God-given. More specifically, the visible is moved by the invisible. The invisible is the cause, the effect, the greater and greater.
“Repent and prepare the way of the Lord (ten hodon curio = royal road).” Make straight the crooked way, and make level the high and low.” Open your hearts so that you can come quickly, easily, at your convenience, so that the king can freely exercise his sovereignty, be ready to receive. It is to direct our hearts and minds toward the One who comes.
In the Bible, it is very unfortunate that an extraordinary thing happened. In one word, the interest of the Jews at the time of Jesus was 'Messianic expectation'. Everyone's attention was focused on the idea of the Messiah. 'The Messiah is coming', 'The kingdom of the Messiah is coming'. Priests, Pharisees, and scribes were the people who specialized in teaching and studying this, but Jesus actually came.
Those who had to receive Jesus with their spiritual eyes opened more than anyone else crucified Him. Why could this be? Because he wanted to do his will through Christ. My desires, my greed, and my sins remained the same and met the Messiah on the straight line of the present. He met him in the frame of selfish and hierarchical sin. After all, I do not like Jesus, the Messiah. So he killed him on the cross.
Everyone!! Those who live clinging to the past and present, and those who do not know how to empty themselves, cannot truly receive Jesus. Therefore, Jesus Himself said, "If anyone would come after me, let him take up his cross and follow me" (Matthew 16:24). Empty yourself, deny yourself. What is your own cross? The cross is death. He says, “Repent.” It means to open your heart wide.
First, the valley (symbol of the people) is to be filled. The valley refers to the broken heart, the broken heart of the betrayed, and the deep wounds caused by failure. It is saying that unless you stand up again from this despair and disappointment, you cannot receive Christ. The psyche must be filled. Second, it is said that the mountain (symbol of King Herod) must be lowered. The mountain means pride and pride. Sometimes I see people who care too much about honor, praise, or pretentiousness in front of others. Third, straighten things that are bent (symbols of religious leaders at the time = priests, scribes, and Pharisees). These are people who have no peace and cannot receive Christ. Fourth, make the rough road (symbol of the innkeeper) smooth. A rough road, a rough heart. It is rebellion, violence, and a devastated heart. We must completely free ourselves from the past and receive the Lord with a new heart. Only with meekness, humility, and a clean heart can we receive the Lord right away.
Only then will Christmas be Christmas. For the first time in my life . . . . . . . . . . . . .