MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD

Luke 3.4: as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Make ready the way of the LORD, make his paths straight.'” (NASB)

The Gospel of Luke quotes Isaiah 40.3-5 more completely than the other gospels. In Isaiah 40 the name “LORD” is the same name God used when He revealed Himself to Moses. It is translated with the meaning of “I AM”, as set forth in Exodus chapter 3. It has also been given an adapted name of “Jehovah”. So everyone at the time of Isaiah’s prophecy would understand that the way is being prepared for God, the LORD. The same LORD of Mount Sinai who led Israel out of Egypt.

And as Luke quotes Isaiah regarding John the Baptist, he is saying that the way is to be made ready for Jesus, who is the LORD. The NASB translation captures this meaning. And understanding the mission of John the Baptist to “make ready the way”, or “prepare the way” for Jesus, the Bible communicates to us that Jesus is the LORD to the same extent as God the Father. They are two distinct persons of the Triune God, but they are One. And since Jesus is affirmed in verse four above to be the LORD, He is God born of a woman in this world in full humanity.

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