THE FOURTH WEEK IN ADVENT - THURSDAY

LESSON: LUKE 15:1‒10

“Make straight the way of the Lord,” as the prophet Isaiah said. John 1:23

The special office of John was to make straight the way of the Lord, to humble the whole world and tell it that all men in general are sinners, lost, damned, poor, needy, and wretched and that no life, no work, no estate is so holy, beautiful, or creditable that it does not deserve damnation.

The only way in which this wretched condition can be changed is by Christ the Lord’s indwelling, activity, and life, and where He becomes everything and is everything through faith. Men must be brought to realize that they need Christ and His grace, and they must partake of this grace with all eagerness.

Where preachers proclaim that the whole of our works and life are nothing, you have the true voice of John crying in the wilderness and the pure, unalloyed truth of Christian doctrine.

This is also what Paul means when he says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). This is what it really means to him, and to prune out and bring to naught all presumption. This is what it means truly to make straight the way of the Lord.

SL.XI.107,27
AE 75, 180

PRAYER: Lord God, heavenly Father, You have assured us that it is Your will that all men should repent and accept Your salvation in Christ. Humble us at all times in true repentance, and thus prepare us for Your salvation in Christ our Savior. Amen.