Engage
Tiberius Caesar : He was Roman Emperor from 14-37AD he was known as a great general but in later life suffered a decline in his mental health. He ordered Jews out of Rome at one time and in his final years his reign was marked by fear.
Pontius Pilate : Fifth prefect of Judea from 26-36AD. Pilate was known to have offended many people during his rule in Jerusalem and was eventually ordered back to Rome.
The Tetrarchs : Which means ‘to rule a fourth’ were leaders who took over four parts of Herod the Great’s kingdom upon his death. The rulers as mentioned were Herod Antipas 4BC-39AD, Philip 4BC-34AD, and Lysanias who little is known about. The fourth ruler is not mentioned by Luke.
Annas and Caiaphas : There was only one high priest in office at a time. Annas was only in office from 6-15AD but even after he was removed by Rome he maintained an influential position through puppet high priests. Caiaphas was high priest from 18-36AD and was married to Annas’ daughter. He was high priest at the time of Jesus’ death.
Brood of Vipers : This saying may link back to Genesis 3 and the snake as the representative of the devil. John uses it to question their parentage as that of the devil and not of Abraham.
Inspire
John’s Baptism
Before we look in more detail at some of the key parts of this passage let us first tackle John’s baptism. The passages that talk of John the Baptist say very little about baptism. We are told where they took place (Mk 1:9, Lk 3:3) and there are some little details thrown in about Jesus ‘coming out of the water’ (Mk 1:10).
Baptism wasn’t a new thing in Jewish tradition and finds its roots in Old Testament books like Leviticus (Lev 14:7, 15:13). John’s baptism of repentance had a wider significance than just as a symbolic act of being cleansed. John’s baptism served as an initiation into a new way of life.
The people who came to receive it travelled from the cities and towns to the wilderness so that they could share in this rite of passage. In this act they (re)aligned themselves with God’s purpose in the world and having been baptised they returned home having accepted the invitation to live differently. Not as the world would have them live but in a way that challenges the norm and is in line with God’s call.
This is how John prepares the way. By challenging the status quo and offering an alternative. A vision of a different way to live in a world run by the rich and powerful.
The Prophet
The opening of this passage may seem like irrelevant information for us today. It sets the events that follow in a particular political environment at a particular time but not much else. That though, is just the surface of these opening verses of Luke 3.
The beginning of the books of the Old Testament prophets (Isa 1:1, Jer 1:1-3, Ezk 1:1-3, Hos 1:1-3, Amos 1:1) offer insight into why Luke introduces John as he does.
It was common for the prophets to be introduced in their political context. We are told at the start of most of these prophetic books who was ruling the nations at that time. This gives us an idea of what was happening at the time and why the word of God was being made known.
Luke in his introduction is doing the same thing because he wants his readers to understand that John stands in the same line as the prophets. He introduces him the same way Isaiah and Ezekiel are introduced and his readers would have understood the importance of these words. John is a prophet and his call must be heard.
The Bigger Picture
Luke now introduces John in the grander context of God’s ongoing saving works. The words from Isaiah 40:3-5 locate John in this grand scheme and in them we find echoes of John’s ministry and the scene Luke has set.
A voice of one calling in the wilderness – The wilderness has deep resonance with the Jewish people and links to the exodus and God’s saving actions (1:80). It was seen as a place of refining before receiving God’s promises.
Prepare the way of the Lord… – Luke has already told us that John’s ministry would be one of preparation (1:17, 76, 3:4). The infilling of valleys, flattening of mountains, straightening of paths and the rough being made smooth all speak of how the way would be prepared. John sought to achieve this through his call to repentance and the forgiveness of sins (3:3).
A New Way of Life
Having introduced John in this way, Luke now brings us an extract of his teaching. The emphasis of this passage is that the people were not producing fruit, that is, their lives did not bear the marks of someone aligned with God.
When they ask what they can do to remedy this, John tells them in simple terms. If someone is naked, clothe them, or if they are hungry, feed them. The tax collectors should act fairly in their work and to the soldiers he encourages them to not take advantage of their position.
This is the outworking of people aligning themselves with God, that as they challenge the norm they produce good fruit in keeping with their repentance.
John’s baptism is the start of something for those receiving it. Those who chose to go down into the river are making the choice to live differently in line with God’s purpose in the world.
A Final Identification
After the introduction of John and his ministry we now come to the moment when Jesus is baptised. Unlike Matthew (Matt 3:13-15) there is no discourse between Jesus and John. In fact Jesus’ baptism is almost an aside. The important part is what happens next – ‘as he was praying…’ heaven opened, the spirit fell and a voice spoke.
This moment brings to a close that which has gone before in the previous chapters. We have already heard the proclamations about Jesus from Gabriel (1:29-33), Elizabeth (1:39-45), the heavenly host (2:8-12), Simeon (2:29-32) and Anna (2:38). Now we hear it from the creator of all things as he proclaims the identity of Jesus.
As well as drawing to a close the things that have already occurred in Luke’s gospel it sets us up for what will happen next. This is the beginning of Jesus’ ministry and from here the events that follow unfurl.
Reflect
John’s baptism was a way in which people could show that they had chosen a different way of living. It was an initiation into a new way of life that stood against the traditional power structures of the temple.
- How can we show our alignment with God? what signs, rituals or rites can show where our faith resides?
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John’s role was to bring the word of God to the people of Israel. He was a prophetic voice calling for the people to change as many others had done before him. Many heard his words and some responded to the call to live differently.
- Who are our modern day prophets?
- What does the status quo look like for us? In what ways can we challenge this by living lives aligned with God’s plan?
John’s task was to begin to prepare the people for what God was about to do in Jesus. He was laying down the foundation for Jesus to build upon.
- In what ways do we prepare ourselves – for work, an interview or holiday?
- How do we prepare ourselves to walk with God?
John’s challenge to those who came to hear him was that they bear good fruit. For most, this was in the ways they made choices in their work life or when they saw someone in need.
- In what ways do we show our fruit in keeping with repentance?
- Does your faith cause you to act differently to others?
Live
Be prophetic – The world needs to hear the voice of the prophets. Where do you need to be the voice of God this week?
Show your colours – Signs, rituals and rites of passage aren’t magic. They are mysterious and God works through them when we allow him to lead us. Is there something you need to do this lent to align yourself with the way of Jesus: – ashing, baptism or renewal of baptism, confirmation or something else?
Get ready – Preparation for a journey is vital. It helps us to be ready for the twists and turns ahead. How will you prepare yourself for this lent journey?
Produce fruit – If you have two coats, give one away. If you see someone hungry feed them. Do not cheat your employer and love others as you love yourself.