Full Sermon “Prepare the Royal Highway” based on Isaiah 40:3-5

Let us pray: Let the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Amen.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I. Watching highway construction. Watching the construction of a highway is interesting. First, the old road is broken apart and hauled away. Then, new dirt is put on the road and a road grader runs over that dirt again and again. Finally, the new concrete is made and a special machine is used to put the new concrete on the roadway and the concrete is smoothed out by highway workers. Having a new road to drive on is a good improvement.

II. Read Isaiah 40:3-4. Isaiah 40:3-4 refers to another kind of highway project and states, “A voice cries: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.” God’s project is the preparation for a special way to bring people to repent and believe in His mercy.

III. Owner of greenhouse and 2 workers. A story is told about the owner of a greenhouse who hired a young man whom he had judged to be a hard worker. Although the owner’s judgment proved to be correct, the greenhouse plants began to die. Then the owner called a more experienced gardener to remedy the situation. Soon the plants began to grow larger and healthier. The owner was puzzled, “What made the difference?” The experienced gardener explained, “When the young man moved the plants, he did it with great caution and care. But I was rough with them. I disturbed their roots. Plants flourish when you shake them up at their roots.”

IV. Shaking things up in our life by God’s Law and repentance. Sometimes we need God to shake things up in our lives, too. God’s Law cuts us like a knife. God’s Law reminds us that we are frail, imperfect human beings. God’s Law shows us our sins like looking in a mirror and seeing some things in that mirror that we do not like. God’s Law prepares us for the gospel good news about Jesus our only hope and our only Savior from sin. The way to prepare for the Lord to come our way is to repent. The way to prepare for the Lord to come our way is to be sorry for our many sins. The way to prepare for the Lord to come our way is to humble ourselves and beg the Lord God for forgiveness and mercy. Because of our sin we are unworthy to have the Lord come our way. Because of our rebellion against God’s commandments we need God’s forgiveness. Because we sometimes fail to do the right thing and help out people in need we desperately need God’s mercy.

V. Read Isaiah 40:5 and comment about the glory of Jesus. Isaiah 40:5 continues, “And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” Jesus Christ is the ultimate and permanent expression of God’s glory (1 Cor. 2:8). The shepherds saw the glory of the Lord when Jesus was born, and they were terrified (Luke 2:9). In the infant Jesus they saw God’s glory in human flesh (John 1:14). At our Lord’s transfiguration His glory was displayed when His clothes became dazzling white (Luke 9:29). But on Good Friday His disciples deserted Him. His garments were gambled away. Then His Father turned His back. As Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46; see Psalm 22:1) the Lord’s presence left His Son alone to die upon the cross.

But His glory returns on Easter and this means that the day is coming when, at the Second Coming of Christ, all flesh will see God’s glory. Through the gift of saving faith in Jesus we know God’s forgiveness and mercy.

VI. How shall we prepare? In a word – repent. Repent in sorrow over our many sins and wrongs and trust in Jesus. For then we will see God’s glory in a Babe in a manger; in his body and blood at the Lord’s Supper; and in the eastern sky on the last day. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken this good news!

The royal highway is prepared through repentance and faith in Jesus the Messiah whom Isaiah predicted would arrive on the scene.

VII. Read the hymn, “Prepare the Royal Highway.” The hymn, “Prepare the Royal Highway”, based on Isaiah 40:3-5 has some good words to think about tonight.

Prepare the royal highway; The King of kings is near!

Let ev’ry hill and valley A level road appear!

Then greet the King of Glory Foretold in sacred story:

Hosanna to the Lord, For He fulfills God’s Word.

God’s people, see Him coming: Your own eternal king!

Palm branches strew before Him! Spread garments! Shout and sing!

God’s promise will not fail you! No more shall doubt assail you!

Hosanna to the Lord, For He fulfills God’s Word.

Then fling the gates wide open To greet your promised king!

Your king, yet ev’ry nation Its tribute too should bring.

All lands, bow down before Him! All nations, now adore Him!

Hosanna to the Lord, For He fulfills God’s Word.

His is no earthly kingdom; It comes from heav’n above.

His rule is peace and freedom And justice, truth, and love.

So let your praise be sounding For kindness so abounding:

Hosanna to the Lord, For He fulfills God’s Word. Amen.

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.