The Glory of God in Heaven.Smakprov

Ready or not, here he comes.

By Rev. Mark Bartsch

“Ready or not, here I come.”

Many of you played the game “Hide ‘n’ Go Seek.” When that cry comes, “It” is ready to come and find you. Were you surprised when the call came? Were you in a good hiding place?

If we look at Mark 1:2, we find these same words quoted: “I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me.” The messenger is John the Baptist, and he is the one who is preparing the way for Jesus to come.

Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament. This is a great way to bring the Old Testament to a conclusion. Malachi, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, brings us the promise of the fulfillment of all of the prophecies made about the Savior who is to come. Now that we are in the Advent season, preparing for Jesus’s coming, we see clearly enough to welcome the Savior. We are filled with great joy and rejoicing. When we see and hear the messenger, we know the One we seek is coming. We look to welcome the Savior with our arms wide open.

He comes as a newborn Baby in the manger. We see and hear the joy of the angels as they sing of his birth. We know that this baby will grow up to keep the law perfectly in our place, to die in our place, and to rise again from death to guarantee our resurrection to heaven.

We are filled with excitement to see our Savior.

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, our hearts are filled with peace and joy. You are coming to save us from our sins and to give us a place in glory. You are fulfilling all of the prophecies made in the Old Testament. Thank you for the gift of heaven to come. In your name we pray. Amen.