Read Luke 3:1-22
1 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— 2 during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.
5 Every valley shall be filled in,
every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
the rough ways smooth.
6 And all people will see God’s salvation.’ ”
7 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? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin 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. 9 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.”
10 “What should we do then?” the crowd asked.
11 John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”
12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”
13 “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.
14 Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”
He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”
15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 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.” 18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them.
19 But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of his marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife, and all the other evil things he had done, 20 Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.
21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
Reflect
Read Luke 3:1-22 slowly. Answer the following questions to reflect on the text. Then, reflect on your own heart with God in prayer.
REFLECT ON LUKE 3:1-22
- John is the voice in the wilderness predicted in Isaiah. What is his message? (v. 4-6)
- Luke summarizes John's fulfillment of this prophecy (v. 4-6) as "preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins" (v. 3). With this in mind, how would you describe John's role in Jesus's work?
- According to John, what obstacle do the Jewish crowds face as they prepare to respond to Jesus (v. 7-9)? How do they need to reconsider their current belief in God to be ready to repent?
- What does this passage reveal about Jesus? What does it reveal about his mission?
REFLECT WITH GOD IN PRAYER
- Review John's words to his audience about the obstacles they face (v. 7-14). What do you need to repent of in order to respond to Jesus? Talk to God about whatever comes to mind.
- What "fruit in keeping with repentance" do you see in your life? (What change in yourself do you notice when you confess your sin and experience God's forgiveness?) Talk with God about how you've experienced the transforming power of his grace.
Continue to pray whatever comes to mind. This is a time to thank God and lay your requests before him. When you have finished praying, spend another few minutes resting with God, without words, simply enjoying his presence.
*Complete this reading and reflection in preparation for The Crossing's sermon over Luke 3:1-22 on January 7, 2024. Part Two of the Luke devotional workbook will be available at The Crossing on January 7th for you to continue your study through Luke.