Post by Les on Jan 2, 2023 16:05:53 GMT -5
Changed Lives By: Amy Boucher Pye
Click here for the Audio Message
I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come.
Luke 3:16
Today's Scripture & Insight:
Luke 3:1–16
“Without God, I could do nothing,” proclaims a gospel song, which continues, “I’m leaning and depending on Jesus.” We might nod at the lyrics and sing along, but perhaps we could ponder how much we really live out our faith in this wholehearted fashion. Do we depend on Jesus fully? Do we know in our head and our heart that our sins are forgiven?
As we consider what or Whom we depend on, we can learn from John the Baptist. He explodes onto the scene in the manner of Old Testament prophets as he calls people to repent. His message strikes the hearts of those assembled, and they ask what they should do (Luke 3:10). His reply illustrates the fruit that comes from love for one’s neighbour. When the people start to wonder if he could be the Messiah, he quickly points to the coming of Jesus, who will baptise “with the Holy Spirit and fire” (v. 16).
God gives us the power to change. When we repent, He washes us clean from our wrongdoing and fills us with His Spirit. We no longer are bound with shame over our sins but are set free. We can love God and our neighbour as we depend on the strength and love of Jesus, walking with Him day by day.
Know that God helps us to live by His power and sets us free from our sins.
Reflect & Pray
How do you think John the Baptist would tell you to prepare the way for the Lord? How can you depend on Jesus as you ask Him to make you more like Him?
Saving Jesus, thank You for working within me through Your Spirit, cleansing me from wrongdoing and helping me to produce fruit. Make me more like You.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Luke, the writer of the third gospel, has an impressive resume. His credits include theologian, physician (Colossians 4:14), researcher, and historian. His attention to historical detail appears early in the book (see Luke 1:3–5; 2:1–2). This pattern continues in Luke 3:1–2 where he briefly notes the secular and religious ruling authorities during the ministry of John the Baptist. The Roman emperor Tiberius (ruled AD 14–37) was over the entire empire. Pontius Pilate (in office AD 26–36) was a provincial ruler who governed in Judea. Three men (Herod [Antipas], Philip, and Lysanias) are said to be tetrarchs. Literally the word tetrarch means “ruler of a fourth,” but it actually referred to a “ruler of lower rank.” These subordinate leaders were over particular territories. Religious leaders—Annas and Caiaphas—also come into view (v. 2). Though Caiaphas actually held the office of high priest, clearly Annas shared the power of that office with him.
Arthur Jackson
Luke 3:1-16
King James Version
3 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,
2 Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
4 As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;
6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
7 Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
9 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
10 And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?
11 He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.
12 Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?
13 And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.
14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.
15 And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;
16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:
Click here for the Audio Message
I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come.
Luke 3:16
Today's Scripture & Insight:
Luke 3:1–16
“Without God, I could do nothing,” proclaims a gospel song, which continues, “I’m leaning and depending on Jesus.” We might nod at the lyrics and sing along, but perhaps we could ponder how much we really live out our faith in this wholehearted fashion. Do we depend on Jesus fully? Do we know in our head and our heart that our sins are forgiven?
As we consider what or Whom we depend on, we can learn from John the Baptist. He explodes onto the scene in the manner of Old Testament prophets as he calls people to repent. His message strikes the hearts of those assembled, and they ask what they should do (Luke 3:10). His reply illustrates the fruit that comes from love for one’s neighbour. When the people start to wonder if he could be the Messiah, he quickly points to the coming of Jesus, who will baptise “with the Holy Spirit and fire” (v. 16).
God gives us the power to change. When we repent, He washes us clean from our wrongdoing and fills us with His Spirit. We no longer are bound with shame over our sins but are set free. We can love God and our neighbour as we depend on the strength and love of Jesus, walking with Him day by day.
Know that God helps us to live by His power and sets us free from our sins.
Reflect & Pray
How do you think John the Baptist would tell you to prepare the way for the Lord? How can you depend on Jesus as you ask Him to make you more like Him?
Saving Jesus, thank You for working within me through Your Spirit, cleansing me from wrongdoing and helping me to produce fruit. Make me more like You.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Luke, the writer of the third gospel, has an impressive resume. His credits include theologian, physician (Colossians 4:14), researcher, and historian. His attention to historical detail appears early in the book (see Luke 1:3–5; 2:1–2). This pattern continues in Luke 3:1–2 where he briefly notes the secular and religious ruling authorities during the ministry of John the Baptist. The Roman emperor Tiberius (ruled AD 14–37) was over the entire empire. Pontius Pilate (in office AD 26–36) was a provincial ruler who governed in Judea. Three men (Herod [Antipas], Philip, and Lysanias) are said to be tetrarchs. Literally the word tetrarch means “ruler of a fourth,” but it actually referred to a “ruler of lower rank.” These subordinate leaders were over particular territories. Religious leaders—Annas and Caiaphas—also come into view (v. 2). Though Caiaphas actually held the office of high priest, clearly Annas shared the power of that office with him.
Arthur Jackson
Luke 3:1-16
King James Version
3 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,
2 Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
4 As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;
6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
7 Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
9 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
10 And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?
11 He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.
12 Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?
13 And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.
14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.
15 And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;
16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: