The Romans were prolific builders. In every area of the world that they conquered we find ruins of some great bridge, arch or other grand structure. They also built roads, good roads. Their armies could move easily around the empire, enforcing submission, collecting taxes and even promoting trade.
This is the world that Jesus entered. When His work on the cross was finished and He ascended to heaven, the groundwork had literally already been laid to get the message out. A path for the gospel had been made and the pagan Roman Empire had made it. The apostles and early church travelled on these roads to spread the good news.
Isaiah prophesied:
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.
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
John the Baptist repeated those words as he announced the coming of the Messiah. In some sense, this prophecy was fulfilled through these roads. Every valley lifted up and hill made low, leveling the ground for a highway. The glory of the Lord, the good news of salvation, would be spread along these highways. God had been at work behind the scenes.
When God is on the move, whether it’s a message or a mission, He has already created a path for it. And the foundation of that path may sometimes surprise us. Whatever God has asked us to do He has already made a way for it. I need to remember that. Maybe you do, too.
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