Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord.
By Uriah Smith
THIS prophecy [Isa. xl, 3] was fulfilled by “John the Baptist preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matt. iii, 1, 2. A change, as great perhaps, as any that the world has ever witnessed was about to take place. The Jewish dispensation was drawing to its close. The time was at hand when a new and better covenant was to be made with the house of Israel and the house of Judah; [Jer. xxxi, 31; Heb. viii, 6-8;] a new dispensation was to open; the great sacrifice in which all types centered and by which they were all to cease, was soon to be offered up, and an effectual atonement made for the sins of all those who through Christ might seek for pardon. Men would soon no longer have access to God through outward sacrifice and the service of the earthly sanctuary, but through the ministration of Christ our great High Priest in the heavenly Sanctuary; the last act in the plan of salvation was to be accomplished, and the blessings of the gospel proclaimed to the world. Such were some of the events which were then on the eve of fulfillment: for this change the minds of God’s people must be prepared; therefore the voice was heard, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Repent; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Greater events than these are just before us: events for which the ones just alluded to, were only preparatory. The results of the plan of salvation are about to be told; when all who would come that they might have life, will be gathered home, the wicked cast off, and the stain which sin has made upon the universe of God be wiped away forever. May not then the words quoted, form an admonition applying to us with double force at the present time: Prepare ye the way of the Lord. As those who profess to believe that the world is now hearing the last message of mercy; who see that there is a breach in the law of God to be repaired, and that only through obedience to all the commandments we are to enter into life; who perceive the end of all things just upon us; as those who make such a profession, we are anxious that the truth should be brought before the people, that honest souls may come into the ark before it is too late; that the jewels may be searched out, and that those may return again to the standard who have been “scattered in the cloudy and dark day.” We are naturally anxious that such should be the case; but how is it to be accomplished? Will the Lord perform it and let his people remain passive and idle spectators? By no means. We have each a part to act in this great work. We are not called into the vineyard to be idle. Every child of God, no matter how humble his position may apparently be, has his station to occupy and his place to fill; and that each member should be found standing at his post and filling his allotted place, is necessary for a vigorous and healthy condition of the whole church. It is not enough that we simply be no hindrance to the work; nay, I will venture the assertion that there is no such thing as occupying such a position in connection with the people of God. If we are not gathering, we are scattering abroad. The moment we lay down our oars, that moment we are being borne by the current down the stream; and our example and our influence is constantly telling either for more consecration to God and a closer walk with him, or for less activity, less watchfulness, and less zeal in his cause. The church is a sympathetic body. When one member suffers, the whole suffer with it. One discordant string jars upon all the rest. If therefore the church is not standing together, acting as one man, if discords and separate interests are at work, we cannot expect the Lord to work for the advancement of his cause. We see then how, in a measure at least, we are to prepare the way of the Lord. We must act in unison with the body. We must be consecrated to the will and work of God. We must “present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God which is our reasonable service.” We must so live and be in such a position that we may let our light shine, that God may work through us as instruments to forward his truth. Thus we see that we have a great work to do with ourselves. We are to render ourselves fit temples for the indwelling of the holy Spirit, and fit instruments for our Master’s use. Till we do this we have not done our part towards preparing the way of the Lord. The work is about to rise and the message go with a loud voice. Amid the mass of minds that will then be brought to bear upon the truth, of every variety of sentiment, temperament and disposition, are we all prepared to stand true to our post, to be unmoved by the trials which may arise, and to breast the storm of opposition which we shall have to meet? Are we prepared to bring with a strong hand all the different elements that will then be brought together into strict accordance with gospel order, that there may be no confusion in the work? If not, we are not ready for that time. It seems that the world has reached that place where everything is ripe for the last great work; and when the people of God are prepared so that he can, consistently, and without danger to themselves, manifest his power through them, there will be delay no longer. Then let us be putting on the armor; let us see to it that we are occupying the place assigned to us, and thus heed the admonition, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”
U. S.