John Prepares the Way (Luke 3:1-20)
After recounting the infancy narratives for both John and Jesus, Luke proceeds to give us the account of John’s ministry. It is summed up and complete in a mere 20 verses. It is vitally important, and a big part of the good news Luke is presenting, but a mere “tip of the iceberg” in relation to Jesus’s ministry.
Luke begins by grounding his story in the historical context. A whole slew of names that we know about from other accounts and records of the time is given. In part, it is strange because, despite the long list of names that work as context, they fail to help us pinpoint the exact dates of John or Jesus’s ministries. It seems the more important context Luke is giving us, is the spiritual and cultural context. John is a sharp contrast to the long list of corrupt and bed leaders listed.
John’s ministry is explained by a reference to the prophetic words of Isaiah, writing centuries earlier. John is the prophesied voice that would proceed God’s intervention in history in the form of the Messiah. Luke is presenting evidence throughout his text, that Jesus is the promised Messiah of God.
John’s message is an announcement of coming judgment, but with a hopeful note. Repentance, change, is required. People need to stop living their status quo lives of evil and injustice. The crowds, tax collectors, and soldiers are told to stop taking advantage of others. They need to stop assuming that they are fine because they are “God’s people.” God can create new people for Himself. In fact, Luke has already emphasized the universal nature of the god news he is announcing. Hope is for all peoples, not just the Jews.
The response of the people is repentance. They are baptized as a sign of their desire and serious intention to change their ways. They even speculate that John migh himself be the Messiah. However, John makes it clear that he is not the promised one. He is proclaiming judgment and the need for repentance. He is offering an outward sign of the people’s desire to change. The Messiah will affect real change in people’s hearts.
The response of the status quo—the list of leaders and powers that be in the beginning of the section—is to see John as a threat. He ends up jailed for his message.
Luke begins by grounding his story in the historical context. A whole slew of names that we know about from other accounts and records of the time is given. In part, it is strange because, despite the long list of names that work as context, they fail to help us pinpoint the exact dates of John or Jesus’s ministries. It seems the more important context Luke is giving us, is the spiritual and cultural context. John is a sharp contrast to the long list of corrupt and bed leaders listed.
John’s ministry is explained by a reference to the prophetic words of Isaiah, writing centuries earlier. John is the prophesied voice that would proceed God’s intervention in history in the form of the Messiah. Luke is presenting evidence throughout his text, that Jesus is the promised Messiah of God.
John’s message is an announcement of coming judgment, but with a hopeful note. Repentance, change, is required. People need to stop living their status quo lives of evil and injustice. The crowds, tax collectors, and soldiers are told to stop taking advantage of others. They need to stop assuming that they are fine because they are “God’s people.” God can create new people for Himself. In fact, Luke has already emphasized the universal nature of the god news he is announcing. Hope is for all peoples, not just the Jews.
The response of the people is repentance. They are baptized as a sign of their desire and serious intention to change their ways. They even speculate that John migh himself be the Messiah. However, John makes it clear that he is not the promised one. He is proclaiming judgment and the need for repentance. He is offering an outward sign of the people’s desire to change. The Messiah will affect real change in people’s hearts.
The response of the status quo—the list of leaders and powers that be in the beginning of the section—is to see John as a threat. He ends up jailed for his message.
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