“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the Lord’s way, make his paths straight’ (Isa. 40:3).”
This prophetic word reveals the essence of the ministry of John the Baptist (Isaiah 40:3). He is a “voice”—not the Light, but the one who bears witness about the Light. The wilderness symbolizes the barrenness and dryness of the human heart, where the word of God must sound in order to awaken the sleeping conscience. The call, “Prepare the way of the Lord,” means to abandon sin, humble oneself before God, straighten the crooked course of life, and prepare to receive the Messiah. This verse reminds us that the path to receiving Christ always passes through the purification of the heart and sincere repentance.