By Joseph Mattera, Op-ed Contributor Thursday, January 01, 2026John Baptizing Jesus Mosaic, Saint George Church in Madaba, Jordan | iStock/oratai jitsatsue
When God is about to reveal Himself in a new way, He raises up voices, not celebrities. He raises up prophets, not performers. And before Jesus began His public ministry, God prepared a man—John the Baptist—to prepare a people. Jesus declared that among those born of women, no one was greater than John (Matt. 11:11). Why? Because John understood his assignment: “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord” (Isa. 40:3).
Just as John prepared Israel for the first coming of Christ, the Church must prepare the way for the presence of the Lord in our day. Whether in our homes, congregations, or communities, God moves when a people posture their hearts properly. Here are 10 ways we can prepare the way of the Lord today.
1. Heal the generational divide
Malachi 4:5-6 teaches that before the Lord visits His people in power, He restores relationships between fathers and children. John the Baptist carried this very mandate through the spirit of Elijah (Luke 1:17).
Generational reconciliation breaks curses and creates spiritual alignment. The enemy knows that when generations disconnect, wisdom is lost, zeal becomes reckless, and the faith traditions that sustain revival disappear. If we want to prepare the way of the Lord, we must restore honor, communication, and interdependence between fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, and spiritual elders and younger disciples.
2. Return to the wisdom of the just
John’s ministry turned “the disobedient to the wisdom of the just” (Luke 1:17). Preparing for God’s presence begins with embracing wisdom — wisdom found in Scripture, in the saints of old, and in seasoned spiritual leaders.
Even Jesus, at age 12, demonstrated a heart eager to learn from Israel’s teachers (Luke 2:46–49). Those who prepare the way of the Lord refuse to live by their own opinions. They sit under counsel, they listen, they learn, they walk humbly with those ahead of them. We cannot walk into God’s future while ignoring God’s wisdom.
3. Embrace humility instead of the spotlight
John the Baptist never chased crowds, platforms, or applause. While political and religious elites dominated Jerusalem, God bypassed them all and brought His word to a man in the wilderness (Luke 3:1–2).
God consistently reveals Himself to the humble:
- Shepherds in the field (Luke 2:8-14).
- Wise men seeking truth (Matthew 2:1-12).
- Simeon longing for the Messiah (Luke 2:25-35).
- Anna fasting and praying in the temple (Luke 2:36-38).
Humility is the landing strip for the presence of God. When we stop striving for visibility and begin pursuing purity, God meets us in power.
4. Accept the long preparation of God
John spent decades in obscurity preparing for a ministry that likely lasted less than a year. Today, many want instant influence without internal formation. But God takes His time preparing His messengers.
Preparation is often hidden, lonely, and uncelebrated; yet it is in those seasons that God forms character, sharpens identity, and strengthens conviction. People who prepare the way of the Lord embrace God’s timing instead of demanding their own.
5. Point everything back to Jesus
When crowds gathered around John, he refused to take glory for himself. He said, “I am not the Christ” (John 1:20) and later declared, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).
If we want to prepare the way for the Lord, Jesus must become the center of everything—our lives, our homes, our ministries, our ambitions. Revival comes where Christ is exalted, not where personalities are elevated. A Jesus-first life is fertile soil for His presence.
6. Refuse the fear of man — speak truth in love
John fearlessly confronted sin in religious leaders, soldiers, tax collectors, and even King Herod. His courage cost him freedom and eventually his life. Yet he never compromised.
Preparing the way for the Lord requires boldness shaped by love. A church afraid to confront sin is a church unprepared for Christ’s holiness. In a culture that prizes affirmation over transformation, truth must be proclaimed with compassion, clarity, and conviction.
7. Live a focused and simple life
John lived free from materialism, distraction, and entitlement. His simplicity sharpened his spiritual perception.
In an age drowning in noise, anxiety, and commercialism — especially around Christmas — simplicity is prophetic. A simplified life creates room for devotion. When we declutter our hearts and homes, we prepare a place for the Lord to dwell richly among us.
8. Maintain unbroken focus on your calling
John never wavered from his assignment. He did not allow crowds, criticism, or competition to pull him off course.
Today, distraction is one of the enemy’s greatest tools. Believers often begin with passion but drift due to busyness, discouragement, or misplaced priorities. Preparing the way of the Lord means guarding our focus and pointing everything — every conversation, every opportunity, every season — back to Christ.
9. Know your assignment and stay in your lane
John understood the boundaries of his calling. When people tried to elevate him or compare him to Jesus, he answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven” (John 3:27).
Comparison is a thief of anointing. When we covet someone else’s gifting or sphere, we lose authority in our own. To prepare the way for the Lord, we must embrace exactly what God gave us — nothing more, nothing less. Obedience in our lane invites the presence of the King.
10. Commit to finish well, even through suffering
John ended his life in prison, beheaded for righteousness’ sake. Yet he died faithful. Even in moments of doubt — sending word to Jesus, “Are You the One?” — he stayed loyal to his calling.
Preparing the way for the Lord is not merely about starting strong; it is about enduring, persevering, and remaining faithful to the end. God entrusts His presence to those who remain unshaken in trials.
Conclusion
John the Baptist was more than a historical figure — he is a prophetic blueprint for preparing our generation for the presence of Christ. When we heal generational gaps, embrace humility, learn wisdom, pursue purity, resist fear, simplify our lives, stay focused, and remain faithful, we create an atmosphere where the Lord delights to dwell.
Dr. Joseph Mattera is renowned for addressing current events through the lens of Scripture by applying biblical truths and offering cogent defenses to today’s postmodern culture. To order his bestselling books or to join the many thousands who subscribe to his acclaimed newsletter, go to www.josephmattera.org.
