Scripture Reading: Luke 3:1-38, Isaiah 40:1-10, John 3:25-30
Our neighborhood in Franklin, Tennessee, sits just a stone’s throw from Mack Hatcher Parkway, one of the city’s busiest roads. In recent weeks, a road crew has been preparing a large section of that road for a major widening project—two lanes becoming four. For the next several years, Franklin residents will watch and wait as the plans unfold and a new way is prepared. Watching and waiting. Waiting and watching.
The people of Israel knew that rhythm well. For centuries, they had been watching and waiting—not for a road project but for the arrival of their Messiah, the promised One who would come and rescue them. And before the Messiah came, God had promised something else: A voice would cry out in the wilderness, calling the people to prepare their hearts. That voice belonged to John the Baptist.
John understood that the people’s deepest need was not deliverance from Rome. They needed rescue from something far more oppressive—the dominion of sin that reigned in their hearts. They needed, as Isaiah put it, a pardon for their iniquity (Isaiah 40:2).
John’s role as the one who would prepare the way for Jesus was no accident. It was ordained. Centuries before John was born, God had announced through Isaiah that a messenger would come, one who would make straight the path for the Lord’s arrival (vv.40:3–5). When Luke recorded John’s ministry in chapter three, he explicitly connected it to that ancient prophecy. John’s faithfulness in fulfilling his calling is a testimony to God’s faithfulness in keeping His promises to a people who had been watching and waiting for a very long time.
What did that preparation look like in practice? Preaching. Baptizing. And pointing—always pointing away from himself and toward the One who was coming. John called people to genuine repentance, the kind with hands and feet: Share your coat, deal honestly, don’t exploit others (Luke 3:10–14). And when the crowds began to wonder if John himself might be the Messiah, he was quick to set the record straight: “I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful than I am is coming. I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals” (v.16).
This was not false modesty. It was the joy of a man who knew exactly who he was and who Jesus was. In John 3, when his own disciples grew concerned that everyone was flocking to Jesus instead of him, John responded with one of the most beautiful pictures in all of Scripture. He likened himself to the groom’s friend at a wedding—the best man who stands nearby, listens for the groom’s voice, and rejoices when he hears it. “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).
This is the posture of a faithful servant and a worthy model for every one of us. We, too, are called to be voices, not the Word itself; preparers of the way, not the destination. The question worth sitting with today is simply this: Are you pointing people to Jesus or to yourself?
Written by Will Heydel
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21 thoughts on "The Way Prepared"
I had to research Nathan taking Solomon’s place on the genealogy. Nathan is in Mary’s line and Solomon is in Joseph’s line.
But wait, isn’t this Joseph’s line? (v. 23)
Always Jesus!!!!
Am I a faithful servant that points to Jesus? I sure hope so.
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That is something I need to work on, I think.
The big question “Are we pointing to Jesus?!”
Every week I have such a weight to “do well” enough to point them to Jesus in jail ministry! I know it is the Spirit that works through them, yet, I just WANT them to receive it! On a week like last, all new girls that didn’t participate or show hardly any sign of where they stand, it was so challenging. And even for the ones that come often, their faith is so tested after waiting for over a year with still no answers to their fate.
I often leave and think…that wasn’t good enough!lol.
It also is good to think about in my comings and goings everyday. Lord, let my light always glow and shine for you daily.
It’s like we want to be on fire for Jesus, yet life can get so hard and weary. But that is where our faith can also point to Jesus, right? Showing that in the valleys He is with us and our hope. In pain and sufferings He still is my all and all. Then also on the mountaintops of Joy, I sing his praises!
It’s a unusual rainy morning here in SWF that’s got me feeling very melancholy and eh. My sister has been very sad the last 2 days, I’m thankful I can be here for her talking on video for long periods. Please continue to pray for her.
He must increase but I must decrease. John 3:30. This should be our goal as believers. So different from our world! But so much the mindset of God’s upside down kingdom. Less of me and more of you has been my prayer lately! To quote my pastor, it is not about me but about more changed lives!
Praying this today! Thankful for the reminder!
Also, praying for all of you! Have a blessed day!
“Are you pointing people to Jesus or to yourself?”
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I hope with all my heart that I am pointing people to Jesus. Earlier this morning I was asking God to help me to reflect Him. I don’t want people to just see me and think I’m a good person – I want them to see Jesus in me and know that any goodness I have, is because of Him.
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I never picked up on John 3:29 before, and as I read it today a picture came to mind. It was John preaching and baptizing but hearing something so he stops and listens. He recognizes that it is the voice of Jesus, and his heart becomes filled with joy…oh that I would be listening for Jesus, and that my heart would overflow with joy at the sound of His voice!
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Happy Wednesday She’s, and welcome to all of you who are new to SRT! ❤️
Isaiah 49:9-10 (NLT):
9 O Zion, messenger of good news,
shout from the mountaintops!
Shout it louder, O Jerusalem.*
Shout, and do not be afraid.
Tell the towns of Judah,
“Your God is coming!”
10 Yes, the Sovereign Lord is coming in power.
He will rule with a powerful arm.
See, he brings his reward with him as he comes.
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Does my life point others to Jesus? May it be so, Father!
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SHE READS TRUTH – Franklin, TN, is one of my favorite places!!!
We have stopped there for supper on travels through Tennessee. ❤
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Love, hugs, and prayers! ❤
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Yesterday we had a Christmas Scripture. Today I am sharing a Christmas song! lol It’s what came to mind!
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SONG SHARE:
Go, Tell It on the Mountain
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Jeff and I visited Franklin a few years back – it was a lovely town! “I thought, I could live here!”
Our worship leader and her family recently moved there, just a town over from Franklin – we look forward to visiting them!
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Have a blessed day Cee Gee!
“This is the posture of a faithful servant and a worthy model for every one of us. We, too, are called to be voices, not the Word itself; preparers of the way, not the destination. The question worth sitting with today is simply this: Are you pointing people to Jesus or to yourself?”
Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word and that from the very beginning you had a plan for your Son Jesus to be our Savior. Thank you for hope, forgiveness and redemption that is available to us. Help us Lord to point others to you. To have the posture of a faithful, humble servant, a voice of hope and truth in this dark and lost world and ones that boldly and courageously lead and prepare the way for others to see you. Help us to show others the Way, the Truth and the Life in all we do. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen
Adding my amen to your beautifully written prayer!
How are you doing, Wendy? ❤
Amen
We are called to be voices not the word itself! What a powerful statement that is.Holy Father, thank you for this revelation. I learn so much here at She Reads Truth. May God keep you all safe and healthy and always hungry for His Word!
Amen, Widgeon! ❤
I got a little nerded out in the early verses of Luke 3 this morning. I found it interesting that Luke made sure that his account was historically accurate ….both according to Roman history as well as Jewish history. Noting Tiberius Caesar….as well as Annas and Caiaphas. Ensuring a connection to both the Gentile and Jewish reader.
That caught my eye this morning, too, Karen- those names, like the genealogy list, are there for a reason. ❤ Good catch!
Are you pointing people to Jesus or to yourself?
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Such a good question to be asking myself, daily. Am I making a “straight path” for others to find Jesus? Lord, may I point to You in all I say and do so that when You return with Your “winnowing fork,” there will be moe “wheat” to gather.
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MERCY – take it easy on your eyes! May your healing be swift. And may you have wisdom about limiting the screens at work.
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RHONDA J – continued prayers for Braydon.
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Yes Kelly that question caught me too. Are we pointing people to the only one who saves, Jesus?
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Prayers for your second interview, etc.
Thank you Kelly!