Prepare a people prepared for the Lord

Luke 1:5-23

“He will go before him (the Messiah) in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to prepare a people prepared for the Lord.” (v17)

I was reading today the first chapter of Luke’s gospel, and the story of Zaccariah, the father of John the Baptist.

He was a Jewish priest, and lots were drawn for him to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. So this was a pretty big deal, and as an old man, was possibly the first time he had been given this opportunity.

As he was in there an angel appeared to him, and told him that his wife, Elizabeth (an old woman), was going to have a child, and he was to call him John.

Here is part of what the angel said about John (and the part that struck me):

“He will go before him (the Messiah) in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to prepare a people prepared for the Lord.” (Luke 1:17)

John’s mission from God (even before conception) was to prepare “a people prepared for the Lord.” It involved 2 things:

to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and
to turn the disobedient to the wisdom of the just.

When we read later in the gospels, we see how he did that, but that was for Christ Jesus’ first coming.

Now we are waiting for the Lord’s second coming, and like John, he calls us to prepare “a people prepared for the Lord”. I do believe we can see that happening. Many people who have become disgruntled by authorities who have lied to them, are looking for answers. They are seeking the truth.

And God says in the Bible, “Those who seek me shall find me, if they search for me with all their hearts.” John was to prepare seekers after the Lord. A people who would think and question for themselves – critical thinkers – truth seekers!

Today we see many wanting to know the way, seeking for the truth, and looking for a better life. For those of us who have the answer (i.e., the wisdom of the just), we need to lead them, tell them, and show them. The answer is in ONE person. Jesus said: “I AM the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE! No one comes to the Father but by me.” (John 4:16)