“Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.” (St.Luke 3:4)
As we find ourselves on the eve of our Lord’s Epiphany it’s important that we ask ourselves a few questions. What is the task of a gospel preacher? How long should it take for a gospel preacher to get you to Jesus? When you read the Bible, how long does it take you to get to Jesus? Lastly, how long did it take John the Baptizer to get around to proclaiming Jesus to his hearers?
The answer to the first question above is “to proclaim Jesus and deliver the forgiveness of sins.” The rest of the questions can be answered “not long!”
Jesus has made the paths to heaven for you; the valleys filled, the mountains leveled, the crooked routes straight, and the rough ways bump-free.
How has He done this? Much of what passes for the Christian faith today says that He has only brought you part of the way to God and the rest is up to you. In this world, it’s up to you to cross the finish line. This explains why many preachers are so quick to leave Christ and His words behind in search of some kind of victorious life for you, free from sin and suffering.
How has God really made a straight way for you to Him? In that famous room where Jesus and His disciples met for the Passover, St. John tells us “He loved them to the end” (St. John 13:1). All the way to the end of what it takes to make you a child of God, Jesus has done it. He died to pay the price for the sin of the world on the cross. That includes your very own sin. “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
This is what Christmas is all about. Your life may not be what it ought to be. Your relationships with others may be lacking. Your joy may not be satisfying. But because of what He accomplished on Calvary and bestows on you through the preaching and the Sacraments, your rejoicing this Christmas has no end.
“Let our gladness have no end, Alleluiah! For to earth did Christ descend, Alleluiah!” (LW, #69, v.1)
Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 65:8-25; St. Luke 3:1-20
Higher Things would like to thank the Reverend David Lofthus, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Harahan, LA for writing this season's Reflections.