Day One: Prepare the Way (Mark 1:1-11)
Devotional: The 54th Massachusetts Infantry was only the second African-American regiment to fight in the Civil War. They took part in one of the most famous episodes of the war, the frontal assault against Fort Wagner, along the coast of Charleston, South Carolina.
Of the 600 men, almost half of them were killed, wounded, or captured. Although they were not able to capture the fort, their sacrifice inspired greater enlistment and mobilization of African-American troops. Laying down their lives prepared the way for more all-black soldiers, one of the keys to President Abraham Lincoln securing victory over the South. Their sacrifice prepared the way for a future victory.
John the Baptist lived a sacrificial life to prepare the way for the victorious Savior. John the Baptist knew his calling… “Prepare the way of the Lord”. He may not have had the best taste in clothing (robe made of camel’s hair and a leather belt) or taste in food (locusts), but he had a great mission for his life. He lived to make much of Jesus!
In a world that promotes self, John the Baptist stands out to us. He may have been a different kinda dude, but he was a good different too. As he himself put it, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.” True humility is a rare trait these days. Humility literally means, “lowly”. It doesn’t mean having an unhealthy of yourself. C.S. Lewis described it well, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less”. It’s living in an other-centric way.
That described John the Baptist. He lived low! He lived under God’s authority, seeking to prepare the way for Jesus. He poured out his life for others, that they might know him. Can the same thing be said of us? Do we live to prepare the way for the Lord in people’s lives. How are we making much of Jesus in our lives with those around us?
Prayer: Take time to pray about ways to be more intentional in “preparing the way of the Lord” with those around you. Pray specifically for one person in your life who needs Jesus.
Devotional: The 54th Massachusetts Infantry was only the second African-American regiment to fight in the Civil War. They took part in one of the most famous episodes of the war, the frontal assault against Fort Wagner, along the coast of Charleston, South Carolina.
Of the 600 men, almost half of them were killed, wounded, or captured. Although they were not able to capture the fort, their sacrifice inspired greater enlistment and mobilization of African-American troops. Laying down their lives prepared the way for more all-black soldiers, one of the keys to President Abraham Lincoln securing victory over the South. Their sacrifice prepared the way for a future victory.
John the Baptist lived a sacrificial life to prepare the way for the victorious Savior. John the Baptist knew his calling… “Prepare the way of the Lord”. He may not have had the best taste in clothing (robe made of camel’s hair and a leather belt) or taste in food (locusts), but he had a great mission for his life. He lived to make much of Jesus!
In a world that promotes self, John the Baptist stands out to us. He may have been a different kinda dude, but he was a good different too. As he himself put it, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.” True humility is a rare trait these days. Humility literally means, “lowly”. It doesn’t mean having an unhealthy of yourself. C.S. Lewis described it well, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less”. It’s living in an other-centric way.
That described John the Baptist. He lived low! He lived under God’s authority, seeking to prepare the way for Jesus. He poured out his life for others, that they might know him. Can the same thing be said of us? Do we live to prepare the way for the Lord in people’s lives. How are we making much of Jesus in our lives with those around us?
Prayer: Take time to pray about ways to be more intentional in “preparing the way of the Lord” with those around you. Pray specifically for one person in your life who needs Jesus.
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