To make ready for the Lord a people prepared.

Luke 1:11-17, And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

Zechariah and his wife were “advanced in years,” and unable to bear children; even Zechariah’s faith could not accept this amazing news without proof. What is not possible with man is possible with God. And he would use this child, to be great before the Lord, to be known as John the Baptist to prepare the people for the way of the Lord. How often do we limit God to what is expected and normal? Are we allowing him to use us to prepare the hearts of others to receive him?

We thank you that you work in amazing ways, far beyond our understanding to bring forth glory to your name, to prepare the hearts of others to receive you!

ESV Lectionary