The Gospel Series Part Four
His Ministry Launched (Mk 1:1, Lk 3:1-2)
The Word of God comes to John. This is the first time God has spoken in 400 years. People had no concept of what it was actually like to have a prophet speak God's word.
His person, proclamation, and baptism (Mt 3:1-6, Mk 1:2-6, Lk 3:3-6)
Mt 3:4 John's clothes were not flashy (like the Pharisees), but durable and practical. He was similar in appearance to Elijah in 2 Kings chapter 1.
Lk 3:3-6 John's baptism was one of repentance. Baptism is a ceremonial way of identifying with something (Rom 6:3)
His message to Pharisees, Sadducees, multitudes, tax-gathers, and soldiers (Mt 3:7-10, Lk 3:7-14)
Lk 3:7 Notice John's tact and diplomacy! But we have an obligation to speak the truth. Holding back the truth is not in true love. The truth is not always politically correct or popular. Herod put John in prison for speaking the truth about his sinful relationship. People simply don't want to hear the truth. If you speak it, be prepared for resistance (2 Timothy 3:12)
"Brood of Vipers" - The Pharisees would understand what this meant by Genesis 3:15 - John was calling them the sons of satan.
Lk 3:8-9 "Children of Abraham" - The Pharisees frequently made allusion to their being Abraham's descendents. But John says it's no big deal. They must have been furious. Jesus later further explains about their parentage in John 8:44. They put their faith in their genetic history instead of God.
"stones" - From John 1:28 we know where this takes place at Bethabara ("house of passage" [1]). In Joshua chapter four, after Israel crosses over the river, Joshua takes 12 stones as a monument of God's miraculous parting of the waters. Some believe these were the same stones Joshua used. If so, it would make the point even clearer for the Pharisees.
But more subtly, God can raise children from the stony hearts of Gentiles. See notes on John chapter two.
Lk 3:10-11 You can only use one tunic at a time - a warning not to store wealth up for yourself. (Matt 6:19-20) God will provide for our needs, not our greeds.
Lk 3:12-13 Tax collectors were hated by the people due to the way they were paid. They had to collect a certain amount of tax, but anything above that amount they could keep for themselves. This system led to widespread corruption and a hatred for tax collectors.
Lk 3:14 Soldiers also were widely corrupt.
Notice John appeals to two groups hated and considered outcasts by the Jews. This idea will consistently re-appear throughout the gospels. God can and will use people other groups have cast aside.
His description of the Christ(Mt 3:11-12, Mk 1:7-8, Lk 3:15-18)
Lk 3:15-18 This act was done by the lowliest slave in the house. John understands his position in relation to Jesus.
[1] Missler, Chuck The Gospel of Matthew page 36
Copyright © 1999-2008 Darrin Yeager. http://www.dyeager.org
This page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. In summary, you are free to share (copy and distribute) the work under the following conditions (see the actual license for more information):
- Attribution. You must attribute the work to the author (but not in any way that suggests that they endorse you or your use of the work). Attribution should refer back to this web page and include a copyright notice and the license terms.
- Noncommercial. You may not use this work for commercial purposes.
- No Derivative Works. You may not alter, transform, or build upon this work.
