“‘See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,’ says the LORD Almighty.” — Malachi 3:1

Here we have another prophecy about John the Baptist, the prophet who preceded Jesus’ ministry and “prepared the way” for His coming. Yesterday we talked about how important it is for us to spend some time preparing spiritually for our Christmas celebration and the coming of Jesus.

Why is it so important to prepare? Unlike many important events in life of which we know the time and date, that was not the case with the beginning of Jesus’ ministry nor will it be the case with His second coming. God’s people need to be ready at all times because they cannot be certain when it is going to happen. We are called to expect and anticipate it as though it could be today. As Isaiah said, “Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will appear in His temple.” Jesus said of His second coming that He will come “like a thief in the night.”

Let’s not be caught by surprise! Let’s be found ready and waiting for our Lord. Let’s prepare for His coming whether it be the celebration of His birth or His second coming. Let’s be found ready!

Peace!

Pastor Tom

www.firmlyrooted.org