12/02/2023
Because you asked: "What does the scripture mean when John the Baptist is saying he's going to prepare the way and make crooked straight and all that other stuff?"
Way back before a town was "built up" it would be hard work making a trail for a horse, a carriage, or simply for people to get through. The way through the wilderness required clearing away the vegetation that's been growing wild, putting in stone to fill the crevasses, leveling off the bumps, and so on. It's not only work to make the way, it's work keeping the way. Storms come and stone washes. Windstorms blow down trees. Preparing the way is work that is needed to "get somewhere" and for other to get to us.
John the Baptist is doing all those things in a ministry sense, making it easier for Jesus to get to people. Not the other way around.
If I want to tell my kids something very important but they have the tv on and the ear bud in and the device in front of their eyes, they're unreachable.
Jesus cannot reach me if I'm not diligently removing the trees and vegetation that naturally spring living in the world. I'm not accessible when I allow the stone to wash away and fallen trees to lay where they fall, making it very difficult to get to me.
You see, John isn't making the way, he's telling me and you to prepare the way for Jesus to get to us. "God with us" is God coming to us. We need to be ready to receive Him.
During Advent we listen closely to the scriptures to see what has grown up in us that needs to go. What trees have fallen and left us stuck and stagnating? How have the windstorms blown through and made it harder and harder for Jesus to "get to" us?
I hope that answers your question. We will talk about this tomorrow! See you at church. - Peace
