For these next few weeks of the Christmas season, I will be diverting from the writings on Acts, and, instead, will be writing a few reflections on the coming of the King.
“’As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.’” Luke 1:44a
Mary, who was pregnant with Jesus, the Promised One, arrived at the home of her cousin, Elizabeth. And immediately upon her arrival the baby in Elizabeth’s womb started to leap for joy. This baby was John, who was Jesus’ cousin and who was to become the Baptist. Isaiah, the prophet, had foretold the coming of John, saying, “A voice of one calling: ‘In the desert prepare the way for the Lord.’” And the baby, John, was leaping for joy in his mother’s womb because he already knew that the Promised One had entered the world and had, indeed, arrived at their house!
John’s whole life was focused on preparing the way for Jesus’ coming. I, on the other hand, have mixed motives. While there is definitely that side of me that desires to be whole-heartedly focused on Jesus in all that I do, I still have a significant part of me that seeks to go my own way. By God’s grace, I am seeking my own way less and walking in Jesus’ way more. It is my hope that, like John, I will leap for joy at His arrival – past, present, and future.
Questions to consider: What are you doing to “prepare the way” for the Lord in your life and in your world? Are there obstacles in the way? How will you overcome them? Have you had moments where you “leaped for joy?”
Prayer: Father, thank You for sending John to prepare the way for Jesus’ coming. Please help me to know how I can prepare the way in my life for Jesus’ coming, and help me to leap for joy. Amen.
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