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Luke’s Gospel Lesson 8

PREPARING THE WAY

Luke 3:1-20
Key Verse: 3:16

“John answered them all, ‘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.’”

There was a boy who went to a college far away from home. While he enjoyed his freedom, he failed in all his college work. Before coming home, he was so worried that he sent an e-mail to his parents, saying “Dear mom and dad. I failed in everything. Prepare yourselves.” His parents sent back their e-mail, saying, “Okay, we are well prepared; prepare yourself also.” It’s a funny story. But in view of God’s judgment, we all need to prepare ourselves. In today’s passage, John the Baptist prepared the way for the Lord, God the Messiah, by preaching the baptism of repentance. John’s ministry described in today’s passage paved the way for Jesus’ messianic ministry in Galilee and Judea. His ministry is a prototype for Christian evangelism. Let us think about how we can also prepare the way for the Lord in our time.

In verses 1 and 2, Luke describes the historical setting for the ministry of John the Baptist. Look at verses 1 and 2. “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.” We don’t know much about these political and religious leaders. Not many of us are really interested in them either. But why did Luke mention their names in his gospel? It may be because they were very familiar figures to the immediate readers of his gospel. Luke the historian and evangelist recorded those names in order to show the historical reliability of his document. John’s ministry began while these leaders were ruling the world. The general time frame of John’s ministry was between A.D. 26 and the spring of A.D. 37.

As we learned from the previous passages, John was a special child, born to the priestly family of Zechariah and Elizabeth. (Lk 1:5-26, 57-66) Obviously, John’s parents must have nurtured him very well. However, according to the angel’s prophecy, John didn’t become a priest, following in his family’s tradition. He became a prophet instead. However, until he began his ministry as a prophet, John lived in the desert. Being filled with the Holy Spirit from his birth, John lived a pure life, never taking wine or other fermented drink. Although he was aware that he was chosen to be the forerunner of the Messiah, he waited on God’s time in the desert until the word of God came to him.

Look at verse 3. “John went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” According to this verse, John’s ministry was characterized by his baptism, which was new for the Jews because only the Gentiles were baptized when they were converted to Jewish religion. Also, John’s baptism was for the forgiveness of sins. In fact, through the baptism, John was preaching to his Jewish contemporaries that being born a Jew was not enough for them to have a right relationship with God. They must be baptized for the forgiveness of sins, just like the Gentiles. It must have offended a lot of people in Israel because it was against their traditions.

In verses 4-6, Luke, like other gospel writers, quotes the prophecy of Isaiah 40:3, concerning the forerunner of the Messiah, “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.” But according to verses 5 and 6, what is unique about Luke’ account is that he alone quotes Isaiah 40:4-5, which read, “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.” (5-6) One of Luke’s main themes was a global scope of God’s salvation. “All mankind will see God’s salvation.”

In ancient times, forerunners made the paths straight and smooth for their kings, clearing away rocks and any other obstacles. Likewise, John the Baptist’s mission was to prepare the hearts of the people of Israel for the Messiah’s coming. It was not an easy task. Just like a deep valley, some people are always downhearted and discouraged. No matter what we say to them, they remain discouraged. They need to be filled in. Some people are proud and arrogant, just like high mountains and hills. They need to be made low. Some peoples’ hearts and minds are crooked due to bitterness and anger. They need to be straightened. Some people are overly sensitive. In fact, our hearts are very sensitive, so we feel easily hurt by other’s harsh remarks or senseless jokes. Once we close our minds, we don’t easily open up again. How did John the Baptist prepare the hearts and minds of the people? He prepared their hearts by helping them to repent before God. Of course, the message of repentance was not the only message he delivered. Verse 18 reads, “And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them.” John did his best to encourage the people in many ways. However, we learn that the best way to help people is to help them to have a right relationship with God.

In order to have a right relationship with God, we basically need two things, repentance of our sins and faith in Jesus Christ our Savior. The Greek verb “Metanoeo”, translated “to repent” means to change one’s mind. Luke saw repentance as a change of perspective that transforms a person’s thinking and approach to life. Romans 12:2 reads, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approach what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”Repentance is not a shameful or negative thing to do. Repentance is a positive thing and a necessary process of spiritual birth and transformation. Unrepentance has a negative effect but repentance has a positive effect in our life. It has great healing power. However, when we hear someone telling us to “repent,” we feel condemned and offended. We should never abuse the word “repent”, especially when we are arguing with someone, we should not use the word “repent” as our weapon. It will definitely backfire us.

But when John the Baptist preached a baptism of repentance, it seems that people were not offended by him. Instead, a large crowd of people came to be baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. (3:7; Mt 3:6) Obviously, John’s message of repentance was not a message of condemnation. Instead, people heard God’s voice through John’s messages. John’s message was very persuasive and moving not just because of what he said but because of his godly character and compassionate personality. He was filled with the Holy Spirit. In short, people recognized John as an authentic prophet and a genuine servant of God.

Look at verses 7-9. “John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?’ Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not being to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 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.’” At first glance, John’s message seems too harsh. If the people were coming to him to be baptized, weren’t they good people? Why was John so tough on them? Why didn’t he tone down his message? Why didn’t he comfort them rather than rebuking them so much? Was John insensitive? When we carefully examine the content of his message, we can understand better. In fact, John was keenly aware of the serious spiritual problem of the people of Israel at that time. What was their spiritual problem? It was their false confidence that they were God’s children because they were Jews. As long as they had this false confidence, even though they came to be baptized, they didn’t really repent of their sins. They thought that they were good people who would go to heaven. John noticed that many of these people came to him not necessarily to repent sincerely but just to receive water baptism in case, thinking that the baptism would save them from the coming wrath of God. Perhaps some of them came to John and were baptized almost every day. But John didn’t believe that his water baptism would save anyone without true repentance.

A new pastor preached his first sermon at his new church. He preached a wonderful sermon: “Repent, repent, repent! The kingdom of God is near. Go and repent.” Everyone loved the sermon, and some even said it was the best sermon they had ever heard. On his second Sunday in the pulpit, the new pastor preached the same sermon, “Repent, repent, repent! The kingdom of God is near. Go and repent!” Since most of the parishioners did not remember last week’s sermon, once again many responded that it was the best sermon they had ever heard. On his third Sunday, the pastor again preached the same sermon, word for word. This time, his listeners began to stir and were disturbed. They approached the governing board of the church and directed them to look into the matter. They complained, “Is this the only sermon he has?” They really didn’t like their new pastor. On the fourth Sunday the new minister preached the same sermon once again, “Repent, repent, repent! The kingdom of God is near. Go and repent.” The church board called in the new pastor for a full explanation. His answer: Yes, he was able to preach other sermons. Yes, he did have other sermons. Yes, he did want to preach other sermons. The problem? He would preach another sermon as soon as the congregation repented! This story tells us that as long as we have false confidence, it’s really hard to truly repent before God. False confidence is grounded in arrogance and wishful thinking. The falsely confident person believes that they are right and must always be right. John was trying to break the false confidence of the people of Israel in order to build true confidence in God. It’s a paradox that once we are aware that we’re not right with God, we can be right with God.

Look at verses 9-10. When people heard John’s message that every tree that does not produce good fruit would be cut down and thrown into the fire, they

asked John, “What should we do then?” In verses 11-14, John mentions the specific fruits of repentance. Look at verse 11. “John answered, ‘The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.’” The tunic was a short undergarment worn under a robe. The Jews often wore two of them at once if they had two. The main point of John’s instruction is that we should not be selfish or indifferent toward the needs of our neighbors. We should be willing to share with our neighbors. In verses 12-14, John gave practical instructions to tax collectors and soldiers. At that time, tax collectors and soldiers in Israel were notorious and hated by people because of their excessive greed and extortion, using their social position and authority. It’s true that certain temptations are more prominent in certain occupations than others. Greed and abusiveness are rampant everywhere even in our society. However, John didn’t suggest overthrowing a system that allowed for abuse. He didn’t tell them to quit their job as tax collectors and soldiers either. Instead, he appealed to personal honesty and responsible morality that would eliminate the abuse and extortions.

Look at verses 15-18. Here, Luke describes John’s preaching about Jesus. We need to pay attention to the fact that the essence of John’s message was Jesus, not repentance. According to verse 15, at that time, the people were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. But John clearly made a distinction between him and the coming Messiah. Read verses 16 and 17. “John answered them all, ‘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.” Here, John distinguishes between himself and Jesus in three ways.

Humanly speaking, Jesus and John were relatives. They must have known each other very well. But John used the expression that he was not even worthy to untie the thongs of Jesus’ sandals. He meant that spiritually speaking, he was only human and Jesus was divine. John also distinguishes between his water baptism and Messiah’s baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire. Here the baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire are not two different baptisms but one baptism. (Acts 1:5; 2:3-4) The water baptism he gives was a ritual ceremony, which has to be accompanied with repentance. Jesus’ baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire is internal, initiated from heaven. That baptism makes us whole and completes God’s redemptive work in us. Finally, John only preached God’s impending judgment. He himself didn’t have power and authority to judge anybody. But Jesus is the one who holds the winnowing fork in his hand, who is much stronger than John. Jesus is God the Messiah.

According to statistics, nearly 90 % of Americans believe that if they die, they will go to heaven. Is it really true? Who are true children of God? Today’s passage teaches us that the true children who will go to heaven are not those who have special racial heritage or those who belong to specific religious groups or certain Christian denominations. According to John’s message, they are those who repent of their sins and put their trust in the grace of Jesus Christ. More specifically, they are those who have the Spirit of God in them. Romans chapter 8 is the essence of the gospel. Romans 8:9-10 reads, “You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.” Romans 8:13 and 14 reads, “For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of your body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.”

How do we know that we have the Spirit of God in us? It is by the fruit of repentance and the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our practical lives. Galatians 5:19-23 reads, “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissension, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” The fruit of true repentance is identical with the fruit of the Holy Spirit. None of us is perfect. We all need to repent every day. Before we tell others to repent, we should examine ourselves first and repent so that we may not be hypocritical and become blind guides. Jesus said in Matthew 7:16-20, “By the fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit… Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” By nature, we are bad trees that bear bad fruit. But through repentance and faith in Jesus, we can be changed and bear good fruit. What a great blessing it is! May the Lord help us to produce good fruit in keeping with repentance in our practical lives. May we crucify our sinful nature everyday and follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.