He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
— Luke 1:16-17 (NIV)
In Luke 1:16-17, we see the angel describing the role of Zechariah’s son, John, and the incredible task he’s given: to prepare the people of Israel for the coming of the Lord. John will go before the Lord “in the spirit and power of Elijah,” calling people to repentance and restoring relationships—both between parents and children and between the disobedient and the righteous. His mission was clear: to make ready a people who were prepared to recognize the Messiah when He arrived. This was no small task, and it sets the stage for the coming of Jesus, the long-awaited King.
As we think about Advent, the season of waiting for the birth of Jesus, we can relate to John’s role in a profound way. Just as John prepared the people for the first coming of Christ, we, too, are called to prepare our hearts and the hearts of those around us for Christ's second coming. Advent isn’t just about remembering the past—it’s about anticipation. It’s about the expectation that God is still at work in the world, preparing hearts and lives for the return of Jesus as King. Like John, we’re invited into this work, helping others turn their hearts to God and be ready to receive the hope and joy that only Jesus can bring.
This season, as we reflect on the significance of John’s mission, we are reminded of our own responsibility to point others to Christ. Whether through acts of service, sharing the Gospel, or praying for those who don’t yet know Him, we are all part of preparing the way for the return of our King. Just as John had a purpose in preparing Israel for Jesus, we, too, have a role in preparing the world to encounter Him.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for sending John to prepare the way for Jesus. Help us to follow in his footsteps, preparing our hearts and the hearts of others for the return of our King. Give us the courage to share Your message of hope and salvation this Advent season. May we live in expectation, eagerly awaiting the fulfillment of Your promises. Amen.
Reflection Questions
These questions are designed to help you reflect more deeply on the themes of trust, obedience, and waiting on God’s timing during Advent.
- How can you “prepare the way” for Jesus this Advent season in your own life and the lives of those around you? Is there anyone you want to invite to church during this season?
- What does it look like for you to be a part of God’s work in turning hearts to Him?
- In what ways can you be more intentional in your Advent reflection this year, not only looking back to Christ’s first coming but also anticipating His return?