SCRIPTURE: LUKE 3
JOHN THE BAPTIST PREPARES THE WAY (vs. 1-20)
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar – when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene – during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, son of Zechariah in the desert. He went into all the country around Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:
“A voice of one calling in the desert, Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God’s salvation.” (vs. 4-6)
John called on the people to produce fruits in keeping with repentance. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. (v. 9)
John’s message:
- To the crowd – “The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same” (v. 11)
- To the tax collectors – “Don’t collect any more than you are required to. (v. 13)
- To the soldiers – “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely – be content with your pay. (v. 14)
When people were wondering if John might possibly be the Christ, John answered them: “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” (vs. 15-17)/. John also exhorted the people and preached the goods news to them.
When John rebuked Herod because he took his brother’s wife Herodias and all the other evil things he had done, Herod locked John up in prison.
THE BAPTISM AND GENEALOGY OF JESUS (vs. 21-37)
When Jesus was baptized by John at thirty years old, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (v. 22)
Luke listed the genealogy of Mary, whose father was Heli. It was found in Luke 3: 23-37. The genealogy of Joseph, whose father was Jacob was found in Matthew 1:16
THOUGHTS:
John the Baptist preached to the people to turn away from sins and turn toward God. This message of repentance teaches us to rid our life of any sins and put our trust in Him alone to guide us. Without a personal relationship with God, it cannot bring forgiveness from sin.
When John the Baptist said that being a descendant of Abraham was not enough to be saved, the hearers were shocked. The religious leaders relied more on family lines than on faith with God. They considered religion as inherited. But personal relationship with God is not handed down from parent to children. Everyone has to make a personal decision to accept Christ for his salvation.
Confessing our sins without a change of life is useless. Turning from sin must be witnessed by real action. Following Jesus is not only saying the right words but acting on what he says.
When John said that God’s winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn and burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire, he was comparing those who refuse to live for God to chaff. By contrast, he compared those who repent and reform their lives to the nourishing grain itself. The winnowing fork was a pitchfork used to toss wheat so that the kernels would separate from the husks. Those who refuse to be used by God will be discarded. Those who repent and believe are beginning a new life of productive service for God.
John’s baptism with water symbolized the washing away of sins followed with repentance and reformation. Jesus’ baptism with the Holy Spirit was first given at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon believers in the form of tongues of fire empowering them to proclaim Jesus’ resurrection in many languages.
Why did Jesus ask to be baptized?
- He wanted to fulfill his earthly mission of identifying with our humanity and sin.
- He wanted to give us an example to follow.
- He was announcing the beginning of his public ministry.
- He was baptized for the sins of the nation.
During Jesus’ baptism the TRINITY – Father, Son and Holy Spirit were present showing three persons with unique relationship as one substance, coeternal and coequal.
When Jesus was 12, he visited the Temple. After 18 years when he was 30, he began carrying out his mission. In Jewish culture, 30 was the prescribed age for priests to begin their ministry and to begin an important task. Joseph was 30 years old when he began serving the king of Egypt. (Gen. 41:46). David was 30 years old when he began to reign over Judah. (2 Samuel 5:4). How old are you now? Are you carrying out the duty God had bestowed on you? .