BROADCASTS.com

In this role as a forerunner, John’s purpose was to prepare hearts for the Messiah as well as to bring an awareness of sin among Israel so they could receive the salvation from sin offered by the Messianic King. Isaiah's prophecy about John the Baptist had the imagery of building up a great road for the arrival of a majestic king. The idea is to fill in the holes and knock down the hills that are in the way, a preparation that must actually take place in our hearts. Charles Spurgeon once said "Men’s hearts were like a wilderness, wherein there is no way; but as loyal subjects throw up roads for the approach of beloved princes, so were men to welcome the Lord, with their hearts made right and ready to receive him"