Luke : Day 7

Read Luke 3: 1-20

Sometimes we wonder what our children will do when they grow up. But John’s parents didn’t have to wonder – the angel had told them their son would prepare people for the coming of the Lord (1:17). 

In chapter 2, Jesus was 12 years old. The story now jumps forward almost 20 years. Luke’s references to historical figures in the first few verses give us a date of around 29AD. The time had come, and John started to preach near the river Jordan. His big theme was “Get ready, God is coming!”

John didn’t mince his words but told his listeners that they needed to repent. The word repent means to admit sin and turn away from it, asking for God’s help to live His way. John gave specific examples of the behaviour God requires: generosity, kindness, honesty and contentment.

When a person wanted to show that they had repented and intended to live God’s way, John baptised them in the river (this involves a person being briefly submerged in water). Baptism is a representation of the ‘death’ of a person’s old life, and the beginning of a new life.

We don’t like talk of God’s judgement today. We prefer to think about His love! But the Bible is clear – a holy God warns us that our actions, words and even thoughts all have consequences. Romans 3:23 says that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” That’s the bad news, but it helps us to understand why the message of Jesus is such good news! He came to be our way back to God.

“Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.”

Luke 3:4