Prepare the Way

The leadoff man in baseball, the point guard in basketball, and the fullback in football all share a common trait: they setup a teammate for a scoring play. The leadoff man gets on base to allow a teammate to drive home the winning run; the point guard passes the ball to a player to make a last-second basket; the fullback leads the way for the running back carrying the ball to score a fourth-quarter touchdown. These are the teammates who prepare the way for another player to be the star.

There was a man named John who was born of Zechariah and of Elizabeth, the cousin of Mary. He wore camel hair and leather and ate locusts and honey. He became popular among the people. They asked if he was a prophet. He said he was not, that he wasn’t worthy. Then he said:

“I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, make straight the way for the Lord.” (John 1:23)

John was the ultimate teammate. He was born to set the stage for ‘one greater to follow.’ He focused attention on the man who was sent to be the light of the world. In the River Jordan, John baptized with water to wash away sins and to prepare the newly christened for the one who would baptize with the Holy Spirit. John denied himself and sacrificed his life in order to prepare the way for the chosen one. And when the day of the coming of the Lord was finally at hand, John the Baptist proclaimed to the world:

“Behold the Lamb of God!” (John 1:36)

These Gospel stories are re-imagined in the book series:

Songs of the Deliverer

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