Straight
The locals in Naples, Italy, compare a map of their city to a pot of spaghetti
dumped onto a table: It's a maze of narrow streets and alleys that suddenly
open up into unmarked intersections. That's also a good description of
what it's like living without Jesus Christ, a life in which confusion
and temptation are around every turn.
In contrast to crooked, unpredictable streets, a straight
path pictures a life without obstructions, a path where the destination
is clearly marked. John the Baptist made the way straight for the Lord
Jesus Christ by preparing the people to receive him. He did this by challenging
them to wake up to their sin and turn to God in repentance.
Those who live without God are following a "broad"
(Matthew 7:13) or "crooked" (Luke 3:5) road. The way of faith
in Christ is "straight" (Psalm 27:11) and "narrow"
(Matthew 7:13), but it leads to life.
Proverbs 2:12-15
Matthew 7:13
2 Peter 2:15
If we are unsure what to do next, we should ask the Lord for help
in "straightening" our ways.
Psalm 5:8; 27:11
Proverbs 3:6; 11:5
John 10:1-18; 15-16
John the Baptist makes straight paths for the coming of the Lord:
He prepares people to accept Jesus Christ as their Messiah.
Isaiah 40:3
Matthew 3:1-3
John 1:23
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