THE FOURTH WEEK IN ADVENT - WEDNESDAY

LESSON: ISAIAH 40:1-11

They said to him then, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord’, as the prophet Isaiah said.” John 1:22, 23

This is the second part of John’s confession in which he confesses who he is after denying any suggestion of being Christ, Elijah, or a prophet. What he means to say is: “Your salvation is much closer than the presence of any prophet might suggest; do not look so far back into another age that is past. The Lord of all the prophets is here Himself; there is no need of a prophet here. I am this Lord’s forerunner. He is following in my footsteps. I am not prophesying about Him in the capacity of a prophet, but I am crying out as His forerunner, to make room for Him and a way for Him, so that He may enter in.

I do not say, “Behold, He is about to come,” like the prophets, but I say, “Behold, He is coming and is here. I am not speaking words about Him, but am pointing to Him with my finger, just as Isaiah proclaimed long beforehand that such a cry would arise in the wilderness to prepare the way of the Lord (Isaiah 40:3). That is who I am, and not a prophet. Therefore, stand aside; make room and let the Lord Himself walk among you personally, and look for no more prophecies concerning Him.”

SL.XI.106, 24
AE 75,178

PRAYER: We thank you, O Lord, for the full and complete testimony of your prophets concerning our Lord Jesus Christ and His salvation, a testimony for us to accept in full confidence and assurance. Amen.