2/12/10 Luke 3
What shall we Do?
Luke 3 describes John the Baptist preaching at a certain time in the area around Jordan. Many were wondering if John was the Christ (Lk 3:15). This was because John was speaking the Word of God and with authority. Luke 3:4-6 is a quotation from Isaiah 40:3-5 the exact text that we will be considering this Sunday. We are going to understand from these verses found in Isaiah, that we are to take comfort because God speaks and specifically in these verses God speaks about His personal intervention. John the Baptist is described as the forerunner of Jesus. He is a key person in ushering in the coming of Jesus and the redemption of His people, which the Father desires and is going to accomplish. So the Father is using John here as His mouth piece for people to be prepared for the coming of the Christ, Jesus.
So we find John preaching about repentance and the forgiveness of sins in the district of the Jordan. There are three groups in this passage that receive this message and then ask the all important question “What shall we do now?” It is so apparent from this passage that faith and belief is not just some abstract set of principles, but rather are reality that should be evidenced in a changed life. John the Baptist states it this way, (Lk 3:8)8“Therefore bear fruits in keeping with repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,’ for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham.” What he is saying is that you can say all you want about what you believe, but if that is not demonstrated by some action and change in behavior, then your belief really amounts to nothing.
So the question for you today is have you received and believed the good news of Jesus Christ? Have you repented by confessing your sins to the Almighty? There is forgiveness in Jesus and no other (Acts 4:12, 1 Tim 2:5). I encourage you to repent and confess, John the Baptist does also, Isaiah the prophet in Isaiah 40 does, and Jesus does. All John the Baptist could do is point people toward Jesus. It is the same today all a person can do is point people to Jesus, because He is the Son of God, in whom the Father is well pleased (Lk 3:22).
Upon repentance and receiving the Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior the next question comes into play. What shall I do? John responds to each of these three groups differently in regards to the specifics, but there is a common theme with each. John in essence says, if you have repented and received the good news and say that you love God, then it should be evidenced in your life by loving your neighbors. Today, do your lips confess Jesus, but your treatment of others and family makes void your confession? What shall you do? Love God and Love others.
Prayer: Father, this passage mentions that you were well pleased with Jesus and my prayer is that you will be well pleased with me. I pray that I will love you supremely and that I point others to Jesus the great and glorious forgiver on any and all sin. I ask that my faith is evident in my love for others. Instruct me on how to be a greater lover of my spouse, my children, brothers and sisters in Christ, my relatives, and all others. Praise Jesus and His Great Name in which I pray, Amen. (Phil 2:8-10)