SHARON ROCKWELL | CONTRIBUTOR

In California, we are constantly admonished to prepare for earthquakes. They can happen at any time, and the threat hangs over our heads. The “big one” can happen tomorrow, or a thousand years from now. Most of us don’t take the preparation warnings as seriously as we should – like collecting flashlights, medications, and water and food for several days use (plus a can opener!).

Those who live in California know the feeling of unexpectedly having the ground shake beneath their feet. We immediately turn on the TV to check for the epicenter. We text our loved ones to see if they are safe. We survey our house for damage. And likely regret not preparing despite all the warnings to do so.

The Call to Prepare

Seven hundred years before the coming of Christ, the prophet Isaiah records a call for preparedness, for deliverance of the Jewish people and the redemption of mankind by Christ. He warned God’s people to prepare themselves by making their ways straight, that is by repenting of evil inclinations and believing in the promised Messiah to come. “A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken” (Is. 40:3-5).

Later, God’s messenger, Malachi, tells of a forerunner to the promised Messiah who would prepare the way for Him, and the Messiah who would come at an unexpected moment, and in judgement. “Behold, I send my messenger and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts” (Mal. 3:1). “Then I will draw near to you for judgement” (Mal. 3:5).

The one who would prepare the way was John the Baptist. The Word of God came to John the Baptist in the wilderness, and he preached repentance: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 3:2).

God sent His Son, a Savior, Christ the Lord to be born of a virgin. And when Jesus’ earthly parents presented him to the Lord at the temple, according to the Law of Moses, Simeon blessed the baby and blessed God saying, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel” (Luke 2:29-32).

Prepared and Preparing

God had prepared from eternity past, a way for His people to be reconciled to Him. Jesus came to earth and lived a perfect life of obedience that is credited to believers. He died a substitutionary death on our behalf as payment for our sins. The Messiah came proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the gospel” (Mark1:14).

We have been warned to be prepared for centuries. Our preparation includes repentance with mortification of our sin, and belief in the gospel. And we prepare for Christ’s coming again to raise the dead, judge the world, and make all things new. “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matt. 24:44).

A life prepared to meet our Savior face-to-face is a life that experiences His presence on earth. It begins with preparing our hearts before Him in prayer. We search our hearts, surrendering our will to His, presenting ourselves as a living sacrifice. We can then enter into His presence with praise, worship, and thanksgiving. Our prayer becomes a conversation where we speak His Word, and speak according to His Word, and the Creator of the Universe, through the power of the Holy Spirit renews our mind in accordance with His will. This intimate communion is only a foretaste of the joy that is before us when He makes all things new.

The wonder of the grace of the gospel is that while our preparations are often marred by our sin as well as our human frailty, God completes His preparations regardless. He determined from before time began that we would belong to Him and nothing will keep us from Him.

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world’” (Matt. 25:31-34).

Lord, as I prepare for the Christmas season, help me to stay focused on the preparation you called us to so long ago, the acknowledgement of sin in my life and a sincere desire to repent and walk in your ways.

Help me to prepare my heart for the joy in believing that you sent your Son to bring the good news that the Your Kingdom is at hand and salvation is here for all who believe.

And finally, prepare me afresh to live a life that is glorifying to you, as I celebrate Christ’s birth, the sufficiency of his atonement, and the promise of eternal life. Amen.

Photo by Simon Berger on Unsplash