STUDY NOTES on previous study
Preparing
the Way! Luke 3:1-38
Luke demonstrates the thoroughness of his
research by giving us an historical marker, placing us somewhere in the year
of 28 or 29. While much has been written
about the specific information in the first three verses of chapter three, it
is most likely that Luke intends to give us a point of reference for the sake
of demonstrating that his story is factual.
We know from the introduction of Luke that one of his concerns is to
provide an "orderly" account (read, "accurate" or
"reliable").
From the historical reference point, Luke
reengages us in the story of God's redemptive plan by telling us of the
preparatory ministry of John the Baptist.
John was already in the wilderness when the word of God came to
him. The wilderness was important to
John preaching repentance makes sense to
us. But we are puzzled in the nature and
purpose of John's baptism. How could it
be for the forgiveness of sins, if Christ’s death had not yet occurred? The problem for us stems from our narrow view
of "forgiveness.” For us,
"forgiveness" is for the purpose of us being saved for eternity. Luke is not thinking in eschatological
terms. He solves this difficulty by
pointing out the way in which this forgiveness manifests itself. Luke connects the forgiveness offered to
repentance and baptism. John is calling
people out of the ordinary surroundings of their daily lives to the wilderness
-- insisting they not only repent, but that they bear fruits worthy of that
repentance. What contrasted John's and
Jesus' baptism was not the nature of forgiveness, but the role of the Holy
Spirit. Forgiveness has always been
God's prerogative. He can grant it as He
chooses. What John was doing in his
ministry was preparing the way of the Lord by calling people to repentance - its intent and force
demonstrated in baptism. And this
baptism, submitted to because of a genuine repentance, led to the divine action
of forgiveness!
Permit me another attempt to clarify. The Messianic age was about to begin. By the nature of the story of Jesus' birth we
already know the messianic event is not going to be what people expected. Now John the Baptist actively participates in
the difficult narrative by calling people out of their comfortable,
self-focused lives to repentance. Repentance signifies a radical change of direction. It is leaving
something and turning in a totally new direction and embracing something
else. Now pursuing the kingdom of God,
their former sinful way of living forgiven and behind them, they could embrace
a new life which would be inaugurated by the life and teaching of Jesus. The call to repentance leading to baptism and
forgiveness prepared them for Jesus' ministry - which was God's offer to enter
His kingdom.
Baptism was a dramatic point of reference. Baptism was not like the ceremonial washings
of the Essenes. John's baptism was
administered by someone. It was to bring
to mind a burial (death), not an act of self-purification. This was not something accomplished by
self. Someone else lowered you under and
lifted you out of the water. You
repented of your old way of living; you died, were raised to walk a new life -
life in God's kingdom.
John's insight on baptism needs to be recovered
rather than dismissed. His baptism was
not just a preparatory step which was superceded by the actions of Jesus. After all, John was doing something the
prophet Isaiah saw as essential in order to understand the nature of
salvation. The people to whom John
preached, who were described as a "brood of vipers" - a poisonous
threat, rather than life-givers, were told to bear fruit worthy of
repentance. What did this mean? Well, repentance and baptism wasn't just a
matter of reminding them that they were God's children, according to this text. God could make children from rocks!! Here is the point we desperately need to
hear. This action and offer of God
wasn't about them. It was about their
lives manifesting the eternal purposes of God!
They were not forgiven only returned to their self-focused secular
lives - they were forgiven for the purpose of bearing fruit for the
kingdom! To make sure they understood
the radical nature of this change, it meant they could no longer continue the
practice of amassing wealth for themselves.
That was the "old way" of living. Fruits worthy of repentance, of living
according to this new way of life called instead for the giving away of surplus
to those who have need, whether it be clothing or food. Specifically, John told the tax collectors it
meant from this point on, because they had repented, they must now be
honest. He didn't tell them to stop
collecting taxes. For soldiers it meant
being satisfied with their wages, thus removing the temptation to grow wealthy
by using coercive force ("I won't kill you if you give me a denarius",
or, "if you give me money I will not provide false witness against you in
court"). The problem for both of
these professions was not the profession, but using that work as an opportunity
for greed.
This is rich teaching. I believe we have great need of it
today. Salvation is not about us being forgiven
so that we can continue to live self-focused, materialistic lives! Forgiveness is granted as God's gift when our
repentance is a serious commitment to change the direction of our life. We are baptized in John and Jesus' baptism
for the purpose of making ourselves available to God. No longer focused on our self-serving
worldview, no longer hoarding what life offers for ourselves, we bear fruit
demonstrating our radical change of direction.
There must be a distinctive difference in our lives when compared to one
who does not know of the gracious nature of God's forgiveness.
Unfortunately, some studies have shown that
Christians (people who call themselves believers in Jesus) have as much or more
a propensity to be unethical in the work place (taking home office
supplies, taking longer breaks than allowed, taking sick leave for personal
purposes, etc) than nonbelievers. Some
attribute this to an immature understanding of grace. Because we feel forgiven, we take certain
freedoms that ironically demonstrate we don't understand grace at all. We continue to show by the ethics we embrace
that we are more concerned about personal gain than we are about the kingdom
qualities of honesty, integrity, and trust in God's ability to provide. I think John would say to us "You brood
of vipers - you who are full of your culture's deadly poison - repent and make
your lives available to God.” This, by
the way, brings us to the recurring theme of our study together - it is in
authentic discipleship that we find true, abundant life! God's grace will not leave us in our constant
failure, but it trains us to escape the sins which destroy our lives. Read Titus 2:11-14. God's grace brings us into salvation life,
teaching us to say "no" to
ungodliness. Grace is not just about
forgiveness, it is about calling us to salvation life in Jesus. But none of this can happen unless it is
preceded by earnest repentance.
We will study the issue of John's ministry and
its relationship to Jesus' work again when we study Luke 7. Their Jesus provides some incredible insight
into John's essential ministry. But even
at this point in Luke 3, we find that John's call is to prepare us for a new
kind of life - one of incredible power.
John was preparing us for the One coming who
would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with the purifying work of fire itself.
Luke finishes his description of John's work
with the story of his capture by the evil king Herod, who clearly disapproved
of the baptizer's message. This event is
immediately followed by the baptism of Jesus which almost seems to be an
afterthought in Luke. But look at the
masterful way in which the baptism of Jesus is woven into the story. Some had imagined that John the Baptist was
the Messiah - likely because of the authoritative nature of his proclamation
and the fact that it rang true. But now
the true Messiah comes, participating in John's preparatory baptism - and then
the heavens open and the Holy Spirit descends on Him. God's voice inaugurates His kingdom beginning
on earth in the life of His beloved Son in whom He is well pleased. The time has come, the kingdom has arrived -
as it had been planned from the beginning - as shown by a summarizing genealogy
that connects Jesus to Adam. The ancient
and consistent purposes of God have not been defeated. They have been brought to fulfillment in the
life of a thirty-year-old man from
One closing thought. Luke is without doubt preparing us for our
full participation in God's ancient purposes.
Luke did not even anticipate a lack of understanding concerning John's
baptism, for the baptism of Jesus was the one to which all who were reading his
account would submit. What is clear is
Luke's focus on the incredible blessings conferred on us who sincerely embrace
this call to repent and be baptized.
Acts will show us the inauguration of God's kingdom for all who would
believe in Jesus. As Peter opens the
doors of the kingdom in his sermon on Pentecost, all who were pricked in their
hearts were told to repent, and be baptized, and they would receive the gift of
the Holy Spirit. Ah, we have heard this
story before! The heavens open, the Holy
Spirit descends, the angels rejoice, and the Father speaks, "This is my
beloved child.” The journey of authentic
discipleship is indeed a beautiful story.
It is offered to each of us. But
it calls for genuine repentance. The
call of the kingdom begins in the wilderness.
I believe we need to recover John the Baptist's call. Repent!
Temptation and Rejection (Luke 4:1-44)
After having read the study notes from the last
lesson, answer the following questions:
1. What
is the relationship between the ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus?
2. What
is the meaning of repentance?
3. Why
is repentance so important when considering the nature of God's kingdom?
4. Of
what do we need to repent (in terms of our connection to this world)?
Read 4:1-12
1. How
did Jesus end up in the wilderness?
2. What
was the nature of each of the three temptations?
3. How
does Satan tempt us in similar ways in today's world?
1. What
was Jesus' custom on the Sabbath?
2. What
was Jesus' 'lob description" according to the prophecy in Isaiah?
3. What
specifically caused the listeners to be angered?
4. Are
there any teachings of Jesus that first angered you, but that since have become
a valuable part of your kingdom walk?
Read
1. What
consistently astonished those who heard Jesus teach? Why do you think this was so?
2. Why
do you think demons often acknowledged Jesus as "the Holy One" or
"One sent from God", etc.?
3. Why
did Jesus silence the testimony of demons?
4. Do
you believe that there is still authoritative power in the name of Jesus?
Read
1. What
did the demons do (again) for which Jesus rebuked them?
2. After
an exciting and successful day, what did Jesus do in the early morning?
3. What
did He gain from this time alone with God?
4. Do
you think it would be beneficial to spend significant time alone with God
before making major decisions? Do you do
this? Why or why not?