Mark 1:1-8

The summer of my 18^th birthday, I worked for Mr. Ted. His construction company had contracted to rebuild the sidewalks around the football stadium at the University of Tennessee Martin. As we were pouring the concrete into the sidewalk molds one day, Mr. Ted decided that we needed some motivation to work faster, so he told us, “Let's go boys! Do you know how to spell concrete? Its spelled W-O-R-K. And I bet you thought it started with a C.” We poured a lot of concrete that summer, and all of the sidewalk plans were carefully made to guide the traffic on campus. When I read Mark 1:1-4, the image of all of those sidewalk paths came to mind. Just like we were preparing a way for people, Mark uses the Old Testament to point to one who was preparing the way for Jesus.

“I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way, a voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”

Mark begins his gospel by taking these quotes from Isaiah and Malachi and applying them to John the Baptist, making the primary task of John clear: he was to prepare the way for Jesus. The divine plan for John was to call Israel to repent, be baptized, and be forgiven. As John played out his role, God provided the results. People came from all over to hear his message and respond, so when Jesus arrived, John had prepared the public to hear his message of the kingdom. Because someone had prepared the way for him, Jesus was able to begin his ministry.

Our job is much like John's: we are to make straight paths where God can work. We are to submit ourselves to the work that God puts in front of us on a daily basis. Every day, we face opportunities where we can make a difference, where we can be salt and light and where we make straight paths for God to act. As we prepare the way for the Lord with each situation, God does His work of creating results.

John isn't portrayed as a man who personifies greatness. He lives in the wilderness. He dresses differently, and he eats wild food. For most of us, we won't be in front leading the way for all to see. We won't be accomplishing great things that are publicized. Some will, but most won't. Our task isn't to create a resume of accomplishments for the kingdom but to be faithful with what we are given. Or as Mother Teresa said, “God calls us to be faithful not successful.”

As a teenager, I considered being baptized and had given it a lot of thought, but I hadn't acted yet. One day during that summer, my cousin wrote me a long letter from college, in which he encouraged me and gave me some new thoughts about my decision. Within a couple of weeks, I was immersed into Jesus. To my cousin's credit, he performed the work of John. His letter created a straight path that helped God to work in me.

John was humble about his role. He admitted that he was unworthy of the one who was coming after him. We can share in that humility by acknowledging that our contributions are small but can be used by God for His own glory. All of Jesus' disciples should be about the task of preparing a way.