Written ~ 03-05-2024
Read Luke Chapter Three
Luke 3
In our passage for today we see John the Baptist emerging onto the scene. He is a grown man now and has been living in the wilderness, preaching to all who would listen… his message?
“…That all should repent of their sins and turn to God to be forgiven, and be baptized…” (Verse 3:3)
It was the prophet Isaiah who foretold the birth of John the Baptist…
Verse 3:4-6,
4 Isaiah had spoken of John when he said,
“He is a voice shouting in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming!
Clear the road for Him!
5 The valleys will be filled,
and the mountains and hills made level.
The curves will be straightened,
and the rough places made smooth.
6 And then all people will see
the salvation sent from God.’”
Crowds of people came to see John to hear what all the shouting was about. In Matthew 3:7 it says, “But when John saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them…”
Now in Luke 3:7-9, we see how he denounces those corrupt religious leaders…
7 When the crowds came to John for baptism, he said, “You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? 8 Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. 9 Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.”
John did not hold back when he spoke to those religious leaders. He warned them under no uncertain terms that they must repent of their sins and return to the Almighty God! The Pharisees and Sadducees had become so corrupt in their thinking, the way they conducted themselves in public, self-righteous and cruel to those who disobeyed even one of their made up rules or traditions. John wasn’t going to let them get away with it! He let them have it! But his message isn’t just for those evil leaders, it is for us today as well. Verse 3:8 says, “Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.” You and I can give all the reasons or excuses we want to try and convince our minds that we will go to Heaven all on our own when we die. But guess what! If we do not repent of our sins and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior we are only fooling ourselves and those things John said to the Pharisees and Sadducees can become quite true in our own lives.
The rest of the crowd got it! They began asking John questions…
Luke 3:10-14,
10 The crowds asked, “What should we do?”
11 John replied, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.”
12 Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, “Teacher, what should we do?”
13 He replied, “Collect no more taxes than the government requires.”
14 “What should we do?” asked some soldiers.
John replied, “Don’t extort money or make false accusations. And be content with your pay.”
All of us have sinned, we all have things that we need to repent and when we do, the forgiveness from our Father in Heaven will transform us into a new creation. It’s time to repent, it’s time to turn from evil practices. It’s time to turn our hearts, minds and souls to the only One who can save us. Let’s listen to the message from John the Baptist.
“Repent… Turn to God… Be Baptized…”
John baptized with water and in Luke 3:16 he says,
16 “…I baptize you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to be His slave and untie the straps of His sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”
When you have accepted the Lord Jesus as your Savior, His Holy Spirit will wash over you and cleanse you of your sin. Then that Spirit will remain in you, to guide you, teach you and prompt you to live by the Word of God.
John the Baptist’s message may have been shouted from the wilderness two thousand years ago, but it is still as true today as it was back then.
“Repent… Turn to God… Be Baptized…”
~AMEN~