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"PREPARING THE WAY FOR JESUS" "...he shut up John in prison." (Luke 3:20b)What we read here are some of the final words bringing a great ministry to a close, "... he shut up John in prison."Now what in the world was John the Baptist doing in prison? Back up in verse 9 of this chapter we find the reason, "But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done."John spent some 30 years preparing for a six-month ministry which was followed by one and a half years in prison before he was beheaded.By today's standards of success, many people would not have considered John's short work for the Lord a prosperous one. Yet, Jesus Himself said, ".Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. (Matthew 11:11)The power of John's preaching and the presence of his person must have been something to behold! We read where the Jews sent the Pharisees along with some Levites to find out just who this fella was that was stirring up the people. They asked John if he was the Christ that should come, or perhaps Elias, or possibly that prophet. Each time that ole locust and wild honey eating baptizer clothed with camel's hair would answer, "No, or I am not" (Lohn 1:19-21.) My goodness! What a Heaven-sent Man of God John must have been when folks thought he was the Christ.Well, that bunch of phonies wouldn't leave well enough alone until John gave an account of himself. I can almost imagine them saying something like, "Now look here, let's not dilly-dally around anymore. Give us a straight answer." But here's what they did ask "Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? (John 1:22)You know, some preachers these days might say with their chest puffed out, "Why I'm Dr. I.B. Proudfoot, and I Pastor one of the largest Churches in the known world with hundreds of professions every week." Another, with a big toothy grin while holding his Bible in the air might say, "Hi, I'm Rev. Jack Frost and I am trying to motivate people, but I would never breathe a word about anything that would offend. them."Oh, but John the Baptist was made of sterner and straighter stuff, He humbly replied, "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias." (v. 23)Now folks, here's the reason for John's enduring fame. His greatness didn't lie in his own selfish will, but in the will of his Saviour. John's own words testify to that truth. He summed up his entire life and ministry when he declared, "He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30)John stirred the hearts of an entire nation in expectancy of their Messiah. The work of John paved the way for the ministry of Jesus Christ. While John prepared the hearts of the people to meet the Lord, the Lord Jesus in turn would later promise to prepare a place for them.When the Lord passes out rewards in Heaven, multitudes will be shocked to see how He evaluates greatness. Many people who did not receive recognition while on earth will shine like the stars for all eternity!Friends, are you a voice preparing a way for Jesus by your witnessing to others? Let's just stay the course and continue to proclaim the Gospel. For one day, no matter who we are, the Lord will judge our works, not on what SIZE they were, but on how SERIOUS we were for lost souls.