投稿者: Tomio Ohashi

From Isaiah 57:15 on God’s self-introduction appears. In the Bible who God is is expressed in many ways, but there aren’t many places where God himself says what kind of a being he is.  However, here God himself clearly says what he is like.

1. The One whose name is holy (Vs. 15,16)

The first point is that God is “high and exalted…lives forever” (15) and his “name is holy.” (15)  Please look at verse 15.

Verse 15

The first half of chapter 57 talked about what happened, the result, of Israel being separated and running to idols.  Here it shows how compared to idols what the real God is like. In other words the real God　is  “high and exalted…lives forever” (15) and his “name is holy.” (15) That means that God is in a very high place and is completely far away from us. God is so far that even if we want to go near him we can’t. There is a saying “a being above the clouds” and truly God is a being above the clouds.  Here it says “whose name is holy. “ (15) This “holy” (15) means set apart. Of course God is completely without sin or filth, but more than this means that God is completely distinct from man. He surpasses and stands above man’s world. We are human so we say such things like “That person is really outstanding or remarkable”, but anyone as a long as they are the same human being has the possibility of making effort and obtaining the same level. However, in the case of comparing God and us humans, it’s a completely different dimension.  God is a completely different being from the creatures that he created. No matter what man does he can’t come near God.  That is the meaning here of the word “holy”. (15) Therefore, here “I live in a high and holy place” (15) means that we humans on this earth can’t be compared at all with God.

This word appears in Exodus 3:5. When Moses was taking care of sheep in Midian he came to God’s mountain, Mount Olive. There he saw a strange scene.  A bush was burning, but it wasn’t being burnt up. When he came close to see the great scene, God said this to Moses.

“Do not come any closer…Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. “ (Exodus 3:5)     Moses was a shepherd so for the shepherd to take off his shoes from his feet meant in other words death. The shepherd’s shoes were like a sandal, but if he took them off he could not walk in the wilderness. There are rocks and wild thorns so even with shoes, to take care of the sheep in such a place was really a difficult thing. And without shoes he couldn’t go with the sheep so he wouldn’t be able to take care of the sheep.  If he couldn’t take care of the sheep, then the sheep couldn’t live. Therefore, for him to take off his shoes also meant death.  God said for him to take off those shoes.  That was because Moses came to a completely different sphere from where he had been until now. He had come before the Holy God.  That was for Moses death. The place where he was standing was holy ground.  Therefore, he had to take off his shoes. This was for Moses death. For a shepherd, life maybe equivalent to taking off his shoes. However, without such a sacrifice man can’t come near the Holy God. Here this shows that Moses was not a person that could go with footgear on, to continue the way he was, to the Holy God. He had to take off his shoes. That’s how holy God is.

Also in the age of King David there was this event.  When the symbol of God’s presence, the ark of the Covenant, was brought to the City of God, although they had to  according the ordained laws of holiness carry the ark on people’s shoulders like a mikoshi, (like a Shinto god is carried in a Japanese festival) some people loaded it on an oxcart and the ox pulled it to carry it to the city. However, the oxen stumbled. The oxcart tilted and the ark of covenant almost fell. Then Uzzah thought that it must not fall so he put out his hand to support the ark. Then God struck him and he died. Even though he did it out of perfect intentions, no matter what the intentions are, sinful man by his hand supported God’s ark so God’s wrath broke out. God’s holiness is this type of thing.  We can’t go near God, and can’t touch God. Without death we can’t go near God. This is the meaning of “holy”. (15)

However, this “high and exalted One…who lives…in a high and holy place” (15) is at the same time “with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.” (15) This is really surprising! Here it says, “with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit.” (15) The word here for “contrite” is the word for “dust” in Hebrew, and is expresses the condition of being made into dust.  That is the appearance of complete repentance. Also “lowly” (15) isn’t just being a servant, but expresses accepting the present misfortunes and agony and becoming “lowly”. In other words, it means to be slapped over and over again. God lives “in a high and holy place.” (15) No matter what man does he cannot come near God. However, God will live with the person whose heart is cut into shreds, whose assertion has been                                broken into the smallest fragment, and who is aware that he himself is the most wretched, and God will “revive the spirit” (15) of such a person, and “revive the heart” (15) of such a person.

Isaiah said this out of his own experience. When Isaiah was called to be a prophet is written about in chapter 6 .There he saw the vision of the Holy God on his throne. Then he heard the angels call to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” (6:3) Before God’s holiness he cried, ”Woe to me!…I am ruined!” (6:5) Before the Holy God he realized how filthy he was and what a shameful being he was. He understood that he was nothing more than dust. There is the phrase “as different as night and day”.  Isaiah realized that the difference between him and God was like night and day. He realized that he was a filthy person not living up to the will of God and if God noticed him, he would be nothing more than a perishing being. Just as it says, he was slapped and broken into dust.  It was the experience of his own being itself dying. That is the meaning of “contrite and…lowly” (15)

However, in the midst of this he looked to God.  He thought that he would be struck by God and that he was ruined, but at that time, the angels that had been singing up until then stopped singing, and from the burning fire of the altar for sacrifices brought a burning coal and touched Isaiah’s lips saying, “See this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” (6:7) Isaiah thought that he was ruined, but not him, but God on his side touched him, and made him clean. Before God to really recognize your irresponsibility is a blessed thing, but like this when he was completely contrite, God forgave his sin, and lived with him, and revived his spirit.

What man does is immediately brag to other people, “I can do that. I can do this.” “I have that. I have this.” In such a person’s heart, God does not live. Those who say that they have come to church for so many years; that they know everything about the church; that they’ve studied the Bible so they don’t have to study anymore; that they have this gift and that gift, such people will not be used by the Lord. God uses people with a contrite and repentant heart. God will definitely not have contempt for people with a contrite and repentant heart. God will live “with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.” (15)

Ever since the creation of the heavens and the earth, the most lowly, and there has never been anyone more lowly than him, was Jesus Christ. He was so lowly that the word humble can’t describe him enough. Christ Jesus “who, being in very nature God,” (Phil. 2:6) became man. He was unlimited, but he became limited. He had no sin, but he died on the cross. Therefore, there is no other way that we can become contrite except by believing in Jesus and becoming one with Jesus. No matter how much we try to be lowly, we can’t make real humbleness our own. However, if we become one with Jesus who gave up himself and was contrite to the point of being crucified on the cross, we can become like him. To be baptized is this. When we are baptized we go under the water it expresses that we are dying with Christ on the cross. Also when we come up out of the water it expresses that like Jesus rose from the dead we too are rising up to live a life with Christ. Now we are living in this world not for ourselves, but by the faith of

believing in God’s son who loves us and gave up himself for us. That is was this expresses. This is what a person who is contrite and lowly is like. The Lord is with such a person and revives his heart.

2.God who heals our sin  (Vs. 16-18)

The second point is that God heals our sin. Please look at verses 16 to 18. “I will not accuse them forever, nor will I always be angry, for then the spirit of man would grow faint before me-the breath of man that I have created.  I was enraged by his sinful greed; I punished him, and hid my face in anger, yet he kept on in his willful ways. I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him.”

God does “not accuse…forever.” (16) God is not “always…angry” (16) forever. God temporarily “was enraged by his sinful greed…punished him, and hid” (17) his “face in anger”. (17)  Therefore, you’d think man would repent, but that was not so. “He kept on in his willful ways.” (17) Even so the Lord says the he will heal him, “guide him and restore comfort to him.”(18).

This is first specifically reveals the judgment of God by Babylon. Israel kept on in their selfish willful ways so God used the country of Babylon to destroy them. For 70 years they lived as captives. Even so God is not “always…angry” (16) forever.  God does not get angry and hide his face forever. God saw their ways, but he will heal them of their sins “and restore comfort to him.”(18).

What encouragement! It would not be strange for God to say, “Go your own selfish way!” and abandon them, but God not only didn’t do that, but intervened in                their wretched hopeless situation. Then God healed their hearts wounded by sin. He healed their hearts by taking upon himself, their sin. Let’s go back to chapter 53. Chapter 53:4-6 “Surely he took up our infirmities

and carried our sorrows,

yet we considered him stricken by God,

smitten by him, and afflicted.

But he was pierced for our transgressions,

he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,

and by his wounds we are healed.

We all, like sheep, have gone astray,

each of us has turned to his own way;

and the LORD has laid on him

the iniquity of us all.

By our sins and iniquities being laid on the Lord’s servant, Jesus Christ, he heals of our infirmities that we have. Normally the punishment that we would have to receive for our sins so that we wouldn’t have to receive it Jesus took it upon himself in our stead.  We can see how amazing the grace is to become a child of God! We are really deep in sin, stupid and unable to live without sinning. The moment that we repent of sin and believe in the Savior Jesus Christ, we become a child of God and no matter what sin we commit after that, for all our life, that relationship will not change. All the sins that we commit from now on are forgiven. Jesus’ salvation is that huge. Therefore, this is a privilege.

“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12)

This is a privilege! This is a tremendous privilege! From the moment that you repent and believe in Jesus Christ, all your sins of the past, present, and future are forgiven. As a child of God, no matter what God will never leave you or abandon you. Until the end of the world, he is always with you.

In verse 16 it says, “I will not accuse them forever, nor will I always be angry.” This word, “accuse” (16) means “convict”. God won’t condemn our sins forever. Instead so that our spirit does not “grow faint” (16), he will encourage us.  Therefore, even if we go our willful ways, even if temporarily God is angry, he will not “always be angry”. (16) Even if Israel is captured by Assyria and Babylon, and punished by suffering, they will not be in that condition forever.  That is just like whipping a child. If a child does something bad, the parent will punish the child, but in the course of time will forgive and with both hands open wide hug the child, and so that the child will walk in the straight way will generously support him in every conceivable way.

In the same way God will not be angry with you forever. He “will not accuse” (16) you forever. If you repent and return to God, God will forgive you.

3.God who gives peace (Vs. 19-21)

The third point is that God gives us peace.  Please look at verse 19. “’creating praise on the lips of the mourners in Israel. Peace, peace, to those far and near,’ says the LORD. ‘And I will heal them.’”

“Praise on the lips” (19) are songs of thanksgiving and hymns. It is a prophecy that the people who as the result of their sins, because of God’s anger, are mourning, but  such people will be healed and will be singing songs of thankfulness and hymns. That’s not all. God will give peace “to those far and near.” (19) “Those near” (19) are the Jews in Jerusalem. “Those far”(19) are the dispersed Jews. Also it could be said that it is referring to us Christians who are God’s people by belief in Christ. God’s peace will be given “to those far” (19) and also to those near.  “Peace” (19) is “Shalom”. It is said to be the state where every aspect has no imperfections and the state is completely satisfying. God will bring peace, shalom “to those far and near.” (19)

Jesus said this. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

Jesus gives peace. It is different than what the world gives. The living Bible translates the peace that the world gives as short-lived peace. Jesus doesn’t give a temporary peace that blooms today and tomorrow is withered, but a certain peace a certain peace that isn’t shaken at all in any situation.

An historian said, ”Up until now in all of history there has never been an age like now where people are so greatly attacked by fear and uncertainty.” In this insecure age what is desired the most is this kind of peace, isn’t it? God gives this type of peace to “him who is contrite and lowly in spirit” (15) in other words, to those who believe in Jesus.

However, the wicked are not so. Please look at verses 20 and 21. “But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud. ‘There is no peace,’ says my God, ‘for the wicked.’”

“The wicked” (20,21) means the people that don’t believe in Jesus more than it means people who are doing bad things. It is people who don’t believe in Jesus, believe in themselves, and go their own willful ways.  These people “are like the tossing sea.” (20) They are very anxious. They are never fulfilled. They are extremely anxious with inexpressible emptiness and guilt. Just as the “waves cast up mire and mud” (20) from their mouths come mud.  They swear and always with a high pressured manner yell in anger at people. That is the characteristic of the wicked.  They have no peace in their hearts so they always have to attack others. There is never any peace for the wicked. Even though they are successful in work, and no matter how much money they have, and even though they have everything they need for living, they don’t have peace. That’s because they don’t believe in the Savior Jesus. It is because they still have sin in their hearts.  As long as sin is not forgiven, there is no peace. That is “like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud.” (20)

How about you? Do you have peace? If not, pray to the Lord who creates praise on the lips to give you a peaceful heart that can sing songs of thanksgiving and hymns.  Go to Jesus and walk contritely and lowly. If so, you can obtain peace.

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  (Matt. 11:28,29)

How you live depends upon your decision.  If you believe in Jesus, and are contrite and lowly then God will live with you and revive you. However, if you take lightly his voice and go your own willful way then you will be nothing but a tossing sea. May you receive God’s peace and encouragement. God is a God who will heal your sin, revive your heart, and give you peace.

Today’s message title is “Prepare the road!” In verse 14 it says, “And it will be said: ‘Build up, build up, prepare the road!” To “prepare the road” (14) doesn’t mean to do construction. After that it says “Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.” (14)It is to remove the things that cause us to stumble and the bumps in our heart. We have so many bumps in our heart! We have so many various kinds of bumps like uninterest in God, the stones of selfishness only thinking about what is good for you yourself, anger towards someone, rocks of prejudice of looking down on others, thoughts of fulfilling your desires, etc. There are really many various kinds of bumps! We must remove such bumps from the road. What kinds of bumps (obstacles) do you have in your heart?

Today while looking at the bumps that were in Israel, let’s remove the things in our heart that cause us to stumble.

1. The blessings that are coming in the course of time (Vs. 1,2)

First of all, please look at verses 1 and 2. “The righteous perish,

and no one ponders it in his heart;

devout men are taken away,

and no one understands

that the righteous are taken away

to be spared from evil.

Those who walk uprightly

enter into peace;

they find rest as they lie in death.”

This is a prophecy that a time will come when even though “the righteous perish…no one ponders it in his heart…and no one understands.” (1) “The righteous” (1) are those who follow and live for God. “Devout men” (1) are “faithful” and is sometimes translated as “merciful”. They live in God’s mercy and affection. There is still hope for a society that is saddened and angry about the death of the righteous, but there is no salvation for a society that thinks nothing about them perishing. There is no hope. In a sense it is a dead society.  Israel who was proud of being God’s people was really in such a condition.

It is said that this is referring to the Jewish King, Manasseh. He was the king during the age of Isaiah. King Manasseh was different than his father, King Hezekiah. He was a terrible king. He restored the idols that his father Hezekiah had removed.”He did evil in the eyes of the Lord” (II Kings 21:2) and committed detestable sins. He violently oppressed the prophets that earnestly objected, and criticized his policy. If you look at II Kings 22:16, it says, “Manasseh also shed so much innocent blood that it filled Jerusalem from end to end.”  Not just the prophets, but ordinary citizens too were killed. It was to the point that it is said that maybe Isaiah too was killed by Manasseh. He was really a terrible king.

However, that is not just in the age of Manasseh. If you look back on history, this has happened over and over again. For example, in 70 A.D. the Jews were violently persecuted by the Roman Empire. In World War I more than 6,000,000 Jews were slaughtered. Such a history has always continued. It has not only fallen on the Jews, but in the same way also on Christians who believe in and live for God. Until now many Christians have been persecuted and martyred.”In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (II Tim. 3:12)

However, here is encouragement. Even if “no one ponders it in his heart;…and no one understands” (1) there is someone who “ponders it in his heart”, (1) That is God. The last part of verse 1 and verse 2 says, “that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.”

Isaiah 56:9-12 describes what Israel’s stupid leaders were like. “They are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they lie around and dream they love to sleep.. They are dogs with mighty appetites…each seeks his own gain.”

However, in contrast to this, here the people that are described believed in God, and followed God living for God. They lived in God’s mercy and affection. Such people certainly don’t attract attention in this world, and leave this world without being rewarded, but that is not so in the future. “The righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.” (1, 2) “Enter into peace” (2) and “find rest” (2) is to die. It means the grave.  Therefore, “that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil…enter into peace” (2) means that they will not meet the disasters at the end of the world.

Please open your Bibles to I Thess. 5:9. It says, “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

This is a prophecy of God’s wrath that will come in the course of time, in other words, a prophecy of the tribulation period that will occur before the second coming of Jesus Christ. At that time various disasters will occur by the judgment of God.  They will be disasters like no one has ever seen before and they will be accompanied by suffering that no one can endure. Concretely this written about in Rev. 6:17. “For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”

No one can stand it. That is how fearful a disaster will come.  However, “God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (I Thess. 5:9) Christians who believe in the Lord Jesus, the people of God will not meet disaster, but will be taken away.  This is called the “rapture”. In the course of time when Jesus Christ returns, the people who believe in God and who are “dead in Christ will rise first.  After that we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” (I Thess. 4:16, 17) I don’t want to go to heaven without experiencing death so I am always waiting expectantly thinking that I want the Lord to hurry and return. In an instant we “will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” (I Thess. 4:17) God’s judgment will come in the great tribulation, but Christians will not meet God’s judgment.

How blessed this is. In this world no one may understand us. In some regards it may be thought to be a lonely life. However, in the course of time we will receive such blessings. Truly “the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.” (1, 2)

Therefore, don’t be discouraged thinking that there is no reward for believing in Jesus. I don’t want you to think that that you will not obtain anything for believing in Jesus. We Christians are prone to discouragement thinking that those who don’t believe in Jesus can live as they like while we Christians are suffering. However, our lives are a continuous turn around. Don’t be on an emotional roller coaster by the things that happen before your eyes and keep your eyes on the glory that is appointed for you to come in the course of time and let’s live depending on the Lord.

1. The vain idols (Vs. 3-13)

Next please look at verses 3 to 13.  Verses 3 and 4 say, “But you-come here, you sons of a sorceress, you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes! Whom are you mocking? At whom do you sneer and stick out your tongue? Are you not a brood of rebels, the offspring of liars?”

Here “sons of a sorceress” (3) and “offspring of adulterers and prostitutes” (3) who are exactly the opposite of “the righteous” (1) and “devout men”, are being described.

The “sons of a sorceress” and “offspring of adulterers and prostitutes” of verse 3 have forsaken God and have run to idols. They mock those who believe in God. They sneer and stick out their tongues.  That’s not all. If you look at verse 5, as it says, “You burn with lust among the oaks and under every spreading tree; you sacrifice your children in the ravines and under the overhanging crags,” they indulged in sexual depravity.

“Among the oaks and under every spreading tree” were places where idol worship took place. There they did obscene sexual acts. Not only that, but they sacrificed their children. Child sacrifice was practiced in the worship of the Ammonite god Molech. This was the result of being separated from God and falling into sin. Today’s abortion is the same, the result of being separated from God and falling into sin.

We may think that Israel wasn’t doing such a thing, that they are God’s chosen people so it’s unthinkable that they would do such a thing, but these words are being spoken to Israel. That was what Israel was actually like. Even though God strongly forbid idolatry, Israel allowed the religious practices of the surrounding peoples to infiltrate into their life resulting not only in idolatry but causing them to indulge in sexual depravity and child sacrifice.

Verses 6 to 8 describe what the idolatrous Israelites were like. Verse 6 says, “The idols among the smooth stones of the ravines are your portion; they, they are your lot.  Yes, to them you have poured out drink offerings and offered grain offerings. In the light of these things, should I relent?” Like Japan offering wine to the pagan gods was a popular custom.

In verse 7 it says, “You have made your bed on a high and lofty hill; there you went up to offer your sacrifices.” These high places or mountain shrines were places of  worship of Canaanite origin. They were condemned throughout the Old Testament.

Verse 8 says, “Behind your doors and your doorposts you have put your pagan symbols.”  What they had to put on their doors and doorposts was God’s word.

“Hear, O Israel; the LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” (Deut. 6:4,5)  These words came to be known as the “Shema” and God commanded them to “Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates.” (Deut. 6:9) Even so they put pagan symbols behind the doors and doorposts. As a result they became involved in idolatry and obscene acts.

Please look at verses 9 and 10. “You went to Molech with olive oil

and increased your perfumes.

You sent your ambassadors far away;

you descended to the grave itself!

You were wearied by all your ways,

but you would not say, ‘It is hopeless.’

You found renewal of your strength,

and so you did not faint.”

Molech was the main god of the Ammonites. Israel went to great costs to seek help from Molech, even bringing perfume to him and alluring him.  Israel had travelled far from God, seeking aid from Molech and even descending to the grave itself. “When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living.” (8:19) Israel was “wearied” with her quest; but she would not confess her weariness. She would not say, “It is hopeless”. (10) She wouldn’t admit that idols are vain and useless. Even though it was in vain, she stirred up her remaining strength, and persisted in her course, and refused to repent.

Then look at verses 11 to 13. “Whom have you so dreaded and feared

that you have been false to me

and have neither remembered me

nor pondered this in your hearts?

Is it not because I have long been silent

that you do not fear me?

I will expose your righteousness and your works,

and they will not benefit you.

When you cry out for help,

let your collection of idols save you!

The wind will carry all of them off,

a mere breath will blow them away.

But the man who makes me his refuge

will inherit the land

and possess my holy mountain.”

God looked at Israel doing evil and continued to warn with words of grace. However, the Israelites hearts were hardened by sin and weren’t able to listen to God’s Word.  They didn’t listen to God’s warnings. They thought that God was silent and their heart became more evil. They didn’t fear God and fell to worshipping a whole “collection of idols”. (13) However their “collection of idols” (13) that they served as gods were in reality a vanity, nothing more than a powerless being. They were so vain that “The wind will carry all of them off, a mere breath will blow them away.” (13) Thus, in order to judge them God reveals the vanity of idols and that He is alive. Their “collection of idols” (13) cannot save them. Rather the wind or a mere breath “will carry all of them off.” (13) They are that vain. To depend upon such vain things will bring no happiness. However, please look at the end of verse 13. Let’s read from the word “but” on. “But the man who makes me his refuge will inherit the land and possess my holy mountain.” (13)

“Inherit the land” (13) is to receive God’s blessings.  Also to “possess my holy mountain” (13) is to posses the holy mountain which is Zion.  In other words, God’s presence will become that person’s Have you received the blessings that God gives?  If not, it is necessary to deeply examine your lifestyle.  Perhaps you still have some connection with idol worship. Colossians 3:5 says, “your earthly nature…which is idolatry.” If you love pleasures more than God, if you love your job more than God, if you love recreation more than God, then that is the same as idol worship. If you have such thoughts, then that is the same as the sin that Israel committed.

The devil by your earthly nature distracts you from your faith. Before when the devil tempted Jesus too he showed him all the splendor of all the world and said tempting him, “All this I will give you…if you will bow down and worship me.” (Matt. 4:9)  This is Satan’s old trick. Our heart is pulled away from God by Satan’s attack and we disobey God.

However, no matter how worldly we become it is nothing more than a temporary pleasure. It may seem like it sets us free from stress and we are enjoying life, but soon we become dark again.  Such things will soon be blown away.  “The wind will carry all of them off, a mere breath will blow them away.” (13) Such things are vain. If you give yourself to such things, if you are devoted enthusiastically to such things, then it is so vain! What we must give our life to, what we must seriously concentrate on is God who made us and gave his life to save us. “But the man who makes me his refuge will inherit the land and possess my holy mountain.” (13)

1. Prepare the road! (Vs. 14)

Therefore, the conclusion is to “prepare the road!” (14) Let’s read verse 14. “And it will be said: ‘Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.”

This means to dig in the dirt and make a road. The interesting thing is that word that is used here means “to pave” They are to dig the road and pave it, and make it level.

This appeared in Isaiah 40:3,4 too. “A voice of one calling; ‘In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.  Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.’”

As it says, John the Baptist appeared in the desert “preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.  John wore clothing made of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And this was his message; ‘After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.  I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit’” (Mark 1:4-8)

John the Baptist was sent on a mission to prepare the road for Jesus.  Of course that doesn’t mean that he was sent out to do construction work. He was to prepare their hearts so that it would be easy for the Savior Jesus to come, and so that Jesus could pass through easily.

Jesus came to bring God’s love to our hearts and in addition through our heart  love is given to the people around us. However, if when Jesus came, if we had anger burning up in our hearts toward someone, how would that be? Jesus would not be able to enter our hearts. Also through our heart God’s love will not be given to the people around us.  If the wall of indifference towards others in our heart is closed, how would that be? What if the rock of prejudice of looking down on others came rolling what will happen?  Jesus won’t be able to enter our heart and go through our heart.

In order for Jesus to go through our heart we must remove the obstacles that are on the road of our heart.  Before Israel had the obstacle of idolatry.  In order for God to come to them the obstacle of idolatry needed to be removed. However, that is not just Israel. We too, if we have obstacles in our life, we if we have bumps in our heart, we must remove the obstacles and make it level. What bumps do you have in your heart?

In our heart we have various obstacles. There is anger, indifference towards God, selfish thoughts of only what is good for myself, a heart that looks down on other people,  and thoughts that you want to meet your needs. Such obstacles are lying there.

For Jesus to pass through we have to remove all the obstruction. Each single thing must be removed, and the road for Jesus to pass on must be prepared. Then we must be careful not to reject the Savior that is coming. May you give your heart to the Savior and live a life overflowing in the blessings of God.