Luke 3
March Memory Verse: "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Luke 19:10 NIV
Read: Luke 3
In Luke 3 we see John the Baptist living out the calling that he was given in Luke 1, fulfilling the prophecy given in Isaiah 40. He was living with one purpose… to proclaim the way of the Lord.
He was proclaiming this to the Jewish people. They believed they were good with God for keeping the law, looking good to God and others, and even family heritage. John the Baptist had bad news and good news for them.
THE TRUTH OF JESUS ALWAYS SHOWS US WHERE WE ARE WRONG… BUT ALWAYS USHERS IN HOPE.
First, he tells them that they really are not as righteous as they think that they are (v.7-9). This must have stung but it was for their good. They thought they were “keeping the law”. They thought that they were doing everything that they had to do but then came this prophet of God who told them that this was not the case.
But John knew what we often forget. We cannot help people repent from sin that they do not know exists. So he did the hard, awkward, and possibly tension causing thing… He told them about their sin.
Second, he shoots down their “second hope” - their heritage. I love how he says this, “Do not even begin to…” (v.8b). He knew that when faced with their sin they would do what we often do - try to justify it. We run to things like all the good things are doing, or how tough temptation is. They run to something else… their family history. They run to the fact that they are children of Abraham. John kindly reminds them that before God family history cannot be a justification for sin.
They look at Him and ask him “what they should do’” and he helps them understand what it means to follow God genuinely. We are often scared to speak truth because it “might push people away” but without someone lovingly telling them truth they will never come into repentance - Romans 10:14-15. They were cut to the heart.
Then he tells them the GOOD NEWS. There is someone who is coming after Him. The one who they have waited for. The one that they have prayed for. The one whom they have looked forward to. And he was going to baptize them with the Holy Spirit. He was going to usher in salvation. They didn’t have to figure it out… they had to submit and surrender - which, if we are honest, is much harder.
We have the same choice today. Following Jesus is not about doing enough good things - though good things are better than bad things. It is not about looking good to others or even to God. Following Jesus is not like a social media profile where we can just put the good parts forward and hide the bad parts.
It is real. It is about surrender. It is about submission. It is about laying down our lives and trusting in Jesus and his life.
What else stuck out to you in Luke today?
By: Nick Parsons
Read: Luke 3
In Luke 3 we see John the Baptist living out the calling that he was given in Luke 1, fulfilling the prophecy given in Isaiah 40. He was living with one purpose… to proclaim the way of the Lord.
He was proclaiming this to the Jewish people. They believed they were good with God for keeping the law, looking good to God and others, and even family heritage. John the Baptist had bad news and good news for them.
THE TRUTH OF JESUS ALWAYS SHOWS US WHERE WE ARE WRONG… BUT ALWAYS USHERS IN HOPE.
First, he tells them that they really are not as righteous as they think that they are (v.7-9). This must have stung but it was for their good. They thought they were “keeping the law”. They thought that they were doing everything that they had to do but then came this prophet of God who told them that this was not the case.
But John knew what we often forget. We cannot help people repent from sin that they do not know exists. So he did the hard, awkward, and possibly tension causing thing… He told them about their sin.
Second, he shoots down their “second hope” - their heritage. I love how he says this, “Do not even begin to…” (v.8b). He knew that when faced with their sin they would do what we often do - try to justify it. We run to things like all the good things are doing, or how tough temptation is. They run to something else… their family history. They run to the fact that they are children of Abraham. John kindly reminds them that before God family history cannot be a justification for sin.
They look at Him and ask him “what they should do’” and he helps them understand what it means to follow God genuinely. We are often scared to speak truth because it “might push people away” but without someone lovingly telling them truth they will never come into repentance - Romans 10:14-15. They were cut to the heart.
Then he tells them the GOOD NEWS. There is someone who is coming after Him. The one who they have waited for. The one that they have prayed for. The one whom they have looked forward to. And he was going to baptize them with the Holy Spirit. He was going to usher in salvation. They didn’t have to figure it out… they had to submit and surrender - which, if we are honest, is much harder.
We have the same choice today. Following Jesus is not about doing enough good things - though good things are better than bad things. It is not about looking good to others or even to God. Following Jesus is not like a social media profile where we can just put the good parts forward and hide the bad parts.
It is real. It is about surrender. It is about submission. It is about laying down our lives and trusting in Jesus and his life.
What else stuck out to you in Luke today?
By: Nick Parsons
14 Comments
What stuck out the most to me was that God could raise up children of Abraham from stones. Thats crazy but when I doubt what I read I always try to go back now and make sure I am trusting what God is saying no matter how hard it is to comprehend. But He made everything and He could have done that, makes me super grateful that He doesn't wipe us out when we mess up bc you know He could do that to us to. He let them kill prophets and ultimately crucify Christ without taking away their status as His people, that is so beyond my understanding. And stuff His church does even to this day that is not okay and He is still coming back for us, makes me want to do better. Thanks Nick!
You are welcome! Glad God used it in your life.
His winnowing fork is in His hand, v.17.
The fork was used to separate wheat from chaff, and the fire in verse 16 is judgement for those who don't have their faith in God. It's hard to experience the hope that Christ will soon come for us, without realizing the future hopeless reality of the lost. For now, there is wheat AND chaff, believer and lost, and sharing Christ with the lost can change them forever. Surely, if I put my hope in Jesus, I cannot idly watch my neighbor walk through life without speaking of Christ.
Yes! So true!!!!
Wonderful and concise explanation of a tremendous chapter of John's ministry; to the point and very understandable! Th
Thank you so much! Praying God used it in your life!
In verse 16, John talks about how one is coming who is mightier, and John isn’t even fit to untie his sandals. Then later, we see Jesus washing the disciples feet. This passage says so much about how great Jesus is, which really makes me appreciate the fact that he came to serve, and not to be served. John was unfit to untie Jesus’ sandals, yet Jesus would wash people’s feet. What a model of servant leadership!
I love how he redirected their attention to Jesus.
Verse 9 stands out to me. Talking about the fruit that we bear and how those that do not bear good fruit will be thrown into the fire shows me the importance of taking the time to evaluate my own life to see what fruit I am producing and if it is good.
Yes! Shows us who we really are. Still thankful that even when we have bad fruit and we are in a relationship with Jesus that we have an advocate who stands before the Father for us - 1 John 2:1.
This verse stood out to me as well--reminded me of Psalm 1!
It’s crazy to think of all the lengths we go to trying to be good enough for God, when He offers to exchange our sinfulness for Jesus’ righteousness and then says we’re His beloved children and pleasing to Him despite having no merit of our own.
Yes I often say... we should aim to please God not impress God. It is subtle but important.
Playing catch up this Sunday morning on Luke 3 and Luke 4.
"Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance."
How are we doing with this?
The next verses speak directly to how we treat fellow man. Do you think others can see Christ in us?