The Way of the Messiah

When John the Baptist begins to preach, he is described in the words of Isaiah as “A voice crying in the wilderness prepare a way for the Lord”. And in this Sunday’s first reading again, we have that wonderful road described to us.

Both passages from Isaiah are probably written around the same time, by the prophet who declared the word of the Lord to the exiles in Babylon around 640 BC. The desert was the rocky and impassable desert that lies directly between Babylon (Iraq) and Jerusalem. All traffic, in fact, had to travel northwards, up and over by way of the fertile crescent, avoiding the steep ravines and rocky crags of this hostile terrain. But the prophet says those ravines and crags will be made level, for a God who comes to rescue them and take them home by the direct route - a desert highway, a miraculous shortcut!

So when this same John the Baptist asks his kinsman Jesus if he is the one they are waiting for, Jesus again reaches for Isaiah and the prophecy of God’s highway across the impossible wilderness. He reminds John that the way of the Lord is described there amidst predictions of wonders: the blind seeing, the deaf hearing, the lame leaping.... He asks John’s messengers to report back the healing miracles he is performing daily - knowing that John will understand perfectly. In Jesus, the Father has begun building the straight road back to himself for his people.

“Behold your God!” who comes with forgiveness and good news for his people. The way back to paradise is rebuilt by the generosity of the Father. It is surrounded by life-giving water - grace and baptism - “and the redeemed use it.”

Webpages created and owned by Ampleforth Abbey Trustees. Copyright 2001. Registered Charity No.1026493.
Postal address: Ampleforth Abbey, York, YO62 4EN.
email contact: webmonk@ampleforth.org.uk phone:01439 766714