A Voice Preparing the Way

Read: Luke 1:16–17; 3:2–18; John 1:19–29; 3:22–30 (KJV).

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” — John 3:30

Preparing someone for another person's arrival involves attention. We make room, explain what matters, and help them recognise whom they are about to meet. The preparation serves a relationship beyond the preparer.

John the Baptist's ministry helps us understand this direction within the Elijah mission. He spoke urgently about repentance, but he also knew whom his hearers needed to receive. His calling was to prepare a people for the Lord.

A calling announced before his birth

John was born to Zacharias and Elisabeth. Before his birth, an angel told Zacharias that his son would turn many of Israel's people to the Lord and go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah. His work would turn hearts and prepare a people.

Elijah had called Israel to return from divided worship. John would also call people to turn toward God, now in preparation for Yeshua, also known as Jesus.

Luke introduces John's public ministry by saying that God's word came to him in the wilderness. He went through the region around the Jordan River, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Baptism involved water; repentance meant turning from wrongdoing toward God.

Luke connects John's work with Isaiah's words about a voice preparing the Lord's way. The image is of a road being made ready. In John's ministry, that readiness concerned people's response to God.

A return that bears fruit

People came to John to be baptised. He challenged them to bring forth fruit worthy of repentance: conduct that showed their turning was real.

Some might have relied upon their ancestry. Abraham was the ancestor associated with God's promises to Israel, and belonging to his descendants carried deep significance. John warned his hearers against using that inherited identity as a substitute for responding faithfully themselves.

When the people asked what they should do, his answers were practical.

Those with clothing and food were to share with those lacking them. Tax collectors were told to collect no more than appointed. Soldiers were instructed against violence, false accusation, and discontent with their wages.

Preparation reached into possessions, work, and the use of power. A person could begin responding where everyday choices were already before them.

We can ask the same honest question: what should I do? The answer may begin with a need we can help meet, a dishonest practice we must stop, or a responsibility we have avoided. Repentance gains visible substance through such responses.

Understanding the Elijah connection

John's connection with Elijah can raise a question. When religious leaders asked whether he was Elijah, he said no. Yet Yeshua later identified John with the promised Elijah role (Matthew 11:14; 17:10–13).

Luke's description helps us read these statements together: John went in the spirit and power of Elijah. The connection concerns a preparing mission; John was not the historical Elijah returned as the same person.

He carried a call to repentance and readiness, while pointing toward the One coming after him. We should let those scriptural descriptions guide our understanding before making claims about contemporary people.

The One toward whom he pointed

When questioned about his identity, John described himself as a voice. He directed attention to someone greater than himself. On seeing Yeshua, he called Him the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Sin is wrongdoing against God. John presents Yeshua as God’s provision for dealing with it, inviting his hearers to recognise and receive Him.

Later, John's disciples expressed concern that people were going to Yeshua. John answered with joy. He used the picture of a bridegroom—the man being married—and the bridegroom’s friend. The friend rejoices at the bridegroom's voice; he does not take the bridegroom's place.

John could welcome the movement of people toward Yeshua because it fulfilled the purpose of his service.

Preparing without possessing

This gives RAPM a clear posture to learn. Teaching should help people know the Father, receive Yeshua, examine Scripture, and respond faithfully. As people grow, they should become more able to discern and serve, rather than increasingly dependent on a teacher for every choice.

For example, someone leading a shared Bible reading can invite each participant to identify a phrase in the passage and explain what they notice. If two explanations differ, the group can reread the surrounding verses together. The leader’s contribution helps people engage with Scripture themselves.

There is joy in seeing someone practise what they have learned. Their growth need not diminish the value of our contribution. It can reveal that the preparation has borne fruit.

John's call also directs us inward. Before considering whom we might prepare, we can ask whether we ourselves are willing to receive truth and turn. The preparing voice must remain teachable too.