Prepare the Way

John the Baptist’s message in Luke 3 is to “prepare the way” through repentance: turning from the patterns of this world, uncluttering our crowded hearts, and making room for Jesus. True repentance is directional and practical: we audit our lives, receive the Spirit’s conviction, confess both general and specific sins, and then actually change course, bearing fruit that looks like generosity, integrity, and Christlike character. RD stresses the urgency of this work, reminding us that one day we will stand before Jesus and do not want to realize too late that we never really made room for Him in our hearts or in our lives. Repentance is ultimately an invitation of grace, leading to forgiveness, refreshing, deeper joy, and nearness to God, so that Christ increases and we gladly decrease.