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Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord – Being John the Baptist        

Geoff Maitland 

In my early 20s there was a spate of musicals based on the Bible – Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat in 1968, Jesus Christ Superstar in 1970 and Godspell in 1973, all part of a revolution in musical theatre.  The music has been with me most of my life and I have chosen the haunting, then joyous ‘Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord’ from Godspell to reflect on this Advent.  The version by a young Michael Ball brings out the challenge, joy and hope of the song – and you get Gethsemane from Superstar as a bonus!

The song has this one command as its sole lyric, repeated again and again with increasing energy as more and more people become engaged with ‘preparing the way’.  The message of course comes from the prophet Isaiah, who foretold ‘the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight”’ – and the prophecy was fulfilled in the form of John the Baptist.

John offers a message of hope in the midst of the wilderness – wherever there is hopelessness.  And as we continue to live amidst the pandemic in this much changed world, many have had the stability of their lives shaken and are in need of support to cope with illness, or loss, or isolation, and of hope for the future.  John makes clear that he is only preparing the way for Jesus to provide that hope and the realisation of his Kingdom here on earth.  He calls for repentance, offers forgiveness and unfearingly speaks the truth.

Advent is not only our time of preparing for the coming of Jesus, with all the hope and expectation that brings, but also a time for us to hear the call to become people who prepare the way for Jesus, in our world and for others.  We can best share the good news of Jesus Christ with others through our actions, more than by our words.  John spoke a lot but he also did a lot.  So we live out our faith not by being judgemental but by being compassionate – letting our actions reflect our inner joy of Christ in our lives and demonstrating it to others.

We “proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes” when we look and act as loved sinners.  This enables us to be courageous to love as we have been loved.  With those we meet who are in need, we can keep the door open when it seems there is no hope; we can hear their cries and stand by their side.  We can, empowered by the Holy Spirit, stand up and speak out for justice and compassion, to prepare a highway for Jesus to enable God’s Kingdom come on earth, as in heaven.  John’s example encourages us not to draw attention to ourselves, but to point the way to Christ.  By action as well as encouraging words, we become, like John, ambassadors of His mercy.

This is not always easy, of course.  We often fail and revert to a world centred on ourselves.  And it is difficult to be non-judgmental and compassionate in a very harsh world, one which seems increasingly polarised and self-centred rather than seeking the common good.  Speaking out against injustice and seeking to dismantle unjust social structures can cost us.  Trying to build bridges rather than walls will often put us in conflict with others, sometimes those close to us.  John the Baptist found himself in Herod’s jail; he prepared the way and paid the ultimate cost.

So during Advent, let us ask for the grace to become a John the Baptist in whatever way God wants to use us to open a door for him and for others.  We can ask that we recognise the opportunities when they arise and be given the courage and trust to be an instrument of grace for others.