Luke 3:15-17 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ. 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
 
WHY were “all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ”? They wondered and asked because something miraculous was happening in Israel. Remember John’s purpose was told to his father Zechariah: Luke 1:16-17 “Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous — to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Indeed, the miracle of changed hearts was affecting many. God created John for a purpose. John is fulfilling his work. As people are wondering, “Is he the Messiah?” God is preparing their hearts and minds to be more open to Jesus when he begins his ministry.
    As John was anointed with a preaching ministry, he was also given the necessary humility to step back when it was time. In the human sin of pride, which we all deal with, it could have happened that John would say, “Look at everyone following me! I’m important. I’m popular. Why should I give way to Jesus?” Of course, he knew his role. His humility and submission were as God-given as was his preaching and baptizing work.
    As mourning our sin is a key to change in our lives, so humility is a vital ingredient of Christian living. God gives us work to do. When we do the work, he causes it to grow and flourish in his time and his purpose. No pastor builds a church. God builds his church. No missionary transforms a community. God transforms a community. No Christian bears fruit for the Kingdom of God unless God is nourishing the work (see John 15). When you see God act through your work, be sure to give God the credit. Praise his work. Thank him he uses you. Help others see that the good you do come from God. When you do, they will be prepared to see him in their own lives.
 
Prayer: You are the reason for all good things, Lord. Thank you for the way you use me to build your Kingdom. In Jesus’ joy I celebrate your work through me. Amen.

Luke 3:10-14 “What should we do then?” the crowd asked. 11 John answered, “The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.” 12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” 13 “Don't collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. 14 Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely — be content with your pay.”  
 
IN our previous lesson, we considered how mourning our sin is a key to a changed heart for Jesus’ gospel. In this Scripture, we see that John’s very pointed preaching affected hearts to grieve their sin. There was good mourning in Israel along the Jordan River as the Jews grieved their sin.
    You can see this because they asked the good mourning question, “What should we do?” This is a key question for any learning, isn’t it? “What should I do to drive the car?” “What should I do to become a teacher?” “What should I do to be a good husband?” “What should I do to walk with Jesus?” Recently I was asked, “What should we do to interpret and teach the Bible?” Asking the question, your heart and mind begins to turn toward the answers. You may not like some of the answers, but if you have a heart for true change, you will “press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called (you) heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14) 
    Now, let me ask you, “What would happen if you sat down with your Bible once a day? Then how would your heart be as you asked, ‘What should I do with what I read, Lord?’” I believe the Holy Spirit would focus your mind to be more attentive “pressing on” toward God’s teaching. Your heart would open to be filled with an understanding of God’s wisdom and knowledge. Your hands and feet would more eagerly put the gospel into practice. You would as I like to say, “Do the love of God.”
    God’s Spirit was using John’s preaching to ignite Israel to change – to repentance. The general population of Jews had forgotten God’s law. Tax collectors acted greedily against their own people. The soldiers represented Rome’s and the religious leaders’ oppression. These three groups were very different people with many different sins. But God was moving into Jews and Gentiles, into the oppressed and the oppressors, to “prepare the way for the Lord, (to) make straight paths for him.”  
    That’s the reason for preaching, teaching and learning today. Jesus came to preach the gospel, so you will be ready when Jesus comes again. You must be ready. In turn you must help the world be ready. That preparation begins with your own heart asking, “What should I do?”
 
Prayer: What should I do, Lord, to live into the gospel, to be prepared for the Day of the Lord when you come again? In Jesus’ name, I receive your answer, amen.       

Luke 3:7-9 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire."
 
ONE walking into John’s church to see if they liked what they saw and heard would be likely to quickly leave, wouldn’t he? Certainly, too, most church attenders would soon depart if their pastor addressed them as, “You brood of vipers!” In fact, mentioning any aspect of God’s Word that reminds a church attender of their shortcomings and sins is taboo, isn’t it? We don’t want to feel bad about our lives. We want to leave church feeling good.
    Or do we? Actually, we should want to be awakened to our sins, so we do feel bad about our affronts against God. Consider this. Have you ever changed a bad habit or incorrect action if you felt good about it? Change comes when we mourn our words and actions against others. Likewise, the only way we will seek God’s Word to truly change the way we live in Christ, is to be as Jesus taught in Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” When you mourn your sin, you are sad you disobeyed your heavenly Father. You truly hunger to become enriched and comforted in God’s words because you love him.
    Yes, “brood of vipers” is a harsh term, but John’s desire was to awaken the Jews to a deadly sin. He knew that some of the Jews who came “out to be baptized by him” did so only for show. They had no heart to seek God’s law. They desired only man’s approval. These Jews were as many today who show up at church each Sunday, but they do not mourn the sin in their lives. Their lives remain unchanged, and their sins lead them on and on to their destruction.
    And have you considered how Jesus preached in the same manner? Read Matthew 23:29-35, and you will see Jesus’ very harsh condemnation of hypocrisy and false teaching. The Lord of Love who commands us to “Love one another.” actually preached Matthew 23:33 "You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?”
    Why did the prophets, John and Jesus, then later the apostles make such harsh references to peoples’ sin? Perhaps the best way to answer this is in the Apostle John’s words from 1 John 3:8 “He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.” Listen and know: Love is the reason for the harsh words. Yes, God so loved the world, he didn’t want all the world to perish into the pit of Hell. The prophets, the Christ and the apostles spoke the harsh, true words to awaken the self-righteous sinners to their souls’ danger. Their love for the world was too great to keep quiet. People need to know there is a problem before they will seek the way to remove the problem.
    If your soul becomes uncomfortable about your sin when you are listening to a sermon, you are probably hearing a good sermon. Pay attention to what God is doing. Thank the Holy Spirit for opening your heart to feel bad because he is convicting you to mourn your sin. This kind of grief will lead you to a true heart change for Jesus’ gospel.
    Submit to the truth and be saved.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for your loving preaching. Amen.

Luke 3:3-6 John went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. 5 Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. 6 And all mankind will see God’s salvation.’” 
 
IF you were with me in the study of Elijah and Elisha, do you remember the location where God took Elijah into Heaven? 2 Kings 1 records the last place Elijah and Elisha stood together was at the Jordan River. Now, John, who is to “go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17) begins his ministry where Elijah’s ended.
    God’s purpose is to show the Jews his promises, as recorded in Isaiah and spoken in many other prophecies, are still in force to be fulfilled. The Lord had been silent in Israel for 400 years. Now he breaks the silence with John’s voice reiterating the prophets’ repentance and salvation messages. Although his life is recorded in the New Testament, John is the last of the Old Testament, the Old Promise, prophets. John’s voice is the final herald to say, “Prepare the way for the Lord.” The New Testament, the New Promise, of Grace in the Lord Jesus Christ is about to begin.  
    See, then, how the preparation is to a baptism of repentance. But why baptism? This is a New Testament sacrament. Jesus commanded it as a visible sign and seal of the Holy Spirit giving new life to one who confesses Christ. Baptism, though not a confession of Christ for the Jew, was a sign of desiring a more righteous life. Baptism symbolized the cleansing, changing waters of the Great Flood. Baptism helped one remember the Jews’ change from Egypt’s bondage to our Lord’s freedom. Baptism helped the Jews also remember the change from wandering in the desert to settling in the Promised Land as the Jews walked through the Jordan River. Baptism was also an act of change for a Gentile to show his desire to live as a Jew under God’s law.
    John called his people to change their view of sin and God. He preached their need for change, so they would be prepared for the Lord’s salvation. As had other Jewish prophets and priests, he baptized with water to symbolize one’s desire to change. Jesus would come to baptize us into his death, resurrection and eternal life: Romans 6:3-4 Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.  
    New Testament baptism is the sign you are born again. You not only repent of your sins as the Jews, but you are eternally forgiven, your life is made new and marked in Jesus’ life, sealed in the Holy Spirit forever.
   
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for your eternal change of my soul, washed clean by your blood. Amen.

Luke 3:1-2 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar –  when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene – 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert.
 
AS Luke gave to Theophilus (and unknowingly to us) a sure time to mark Jesus’ birth using Rome’s rulers at the time, he also gives a sure time reference to Jesus’ ministry. Remember, Luke was writing to Theophilus to prove Jesus’ humanity and Jesus’ divinity. Theophilus would have sure resources to check Luke’s writings. Luke had to be accurate, or Theophilus would likely reject Luke’s proof for Jesus’ identity.
    Also, note how Luke sets the stage for what he is yet to write. Pontius Pilate, Caiaphas, Annas and Herod, the tetrarch1 of Galilee, will all play a significant role in John’s and Jesus’ ministries.
    As important as it is to know these historical facts, we must focus on the history changing fact: The word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert. The Lord God, which means the Almighty One of Absolute Control, has moved all the events of time and people to this moment. Remember, John was born for this moment: Luke 1:15-16 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth.  16 Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God.  
    John was conceived through Zechariah and Elizabeth in the Holy Spirit’s power. He has grown, and God has prepared him for this moment. As the Olympic Games approach, you could use the metaphor that John is the athlete a coach trains for years to perform at his peak at just the right time. The Lord God has prepared Judea’s rulers, John and Jesus for this time. All are about to enter center stage to live out God’s eternal redemption plan for the Jews and then the Gentiles. God has told John, “Now.”
    How about you? It is an inescapable truth to know that if you say, “I’m a Christian.” the Lord God has acted throughout time to call you to this historic confession. You are not an accident who happened to walk into the Kingdom of God to say, “I’m here. Aren’t you glad?” Instead, you are chosen to a grand purpose. God’s revealing Word, a true preaching church and encouraging friends are your training tools. The Lord God instructs you to prepare yourself for the moment he says, “Now.”
 
Prayer: Lord God, I pray I am purposeful to pursue true training to minister your love when you say to me, “Now.” In Jesus’ name, amen.  
 

Luke 2:51-52 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
 
HOW did Mary respond to Jesus’ presence in the temple? What did she think about his statement, “Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?” He has displayed unusual wisdom before the teachers and others in the temple. The boy Jesus was beginning to reveal God’s wisdom to the world. What is a mother to think of such a son?
    We find as we did at Jesus’ birth in Luke 2:19 that Mary “treasured all these things in her heart.” At that time and here at the temple 12 years later, Mary came face-to-face with the reality that Jesus was no ordinary person. She had been told he is the long-awaited Messiah. Luke 1:33 “and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." Simeon’s prophecies came to her at Jesus’ circumcision: Luke 2:34-35 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against.” She had also been told Jesus’ life would also bring extreme grief to her soul. Luke 2:35b “And a sword will pierce your own soul too."  Now here at the Passover Feast, Jesus has proclaimed the Jews’ center point of worship in Jerusalem as “my Father’s house.” 
    In all these pronouncements, God revealed himself to Mary. She is hearing God’s words of truth, purpose and prophecy for Jesus and her own life. “Pondering these things”, in other words, stopping to seriously consider what she had heard, Mary likely wondered, “How do I fit into this? What will God have me do? How will I be able to understand all I have heard and seen? Can I fully understand who Jesus is? What is going to happen? Can I fully trust God’s hand is on him, on me and on his people?”
    These are questions for all of us, aren’t they? As we hear God’s words of truth, purpose and prophecy each day, we must stop to treasure them in our mind, heart and soul. Through his Bible, the Almighty God speaks, revealing himself to us. Then come the moments of revelation when we meet him face-to-face. You know those moments, don’t you? They happen when we must truly lay down all we know and move ahead in total trust, confessing, “I follow Jesus.”
    Sadly, too many of us refuse to take that step. If, though, we say, “I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and earth.” we cannot stay put when Jesus says, “Come.” Indeed, we must hold our Creator’s revelation to us as his priceless, eternal favor over our lives.
    Jesus grew in wisdom, obeying his parents, honoring God’s commands and preparing for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Mary was growing in wisdom, also, to prepare for her ultimate purpose, which was to testify to these things you now read. We must grow in wisdom, too. God’s purpose for us all is to testify of his wisdom and favor upon us.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for revealing who you are to me. I pray I ponder and treasure your words to faithfully follow you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Luke 2:47-50 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” 49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?”  50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
 
WITH all the evidence of Jesus’ conception, birth and purpose, would it not be logical for Joseph and Mary to go directly to the temple to get their son? Is it possible they looked upon the past events now 12 years distant as dim images of God’s promises? Maybe in seeing Jesus’ humanity his earthly parents had found it difficult to remember that Jesus is God’s Son. This holy relationship would be a challenge for the Jews as our Lord ministered some 20 years later. People doubted his authority and miraculous powers because of his relationship to Mary and Joseph. See, for example, John 6:42 They said, "Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, 'I came down from heaven'?"    
    Yes, this is one of the great debates. Is Jesus of Nazareth, son of Joseph and Mary, the Son of God? Some who say they belong to Jesus’ church doubt and deny it. Bible detractors deny it. Mankind’s sin nature is to doubt God’s power and presence, even when he offers one life-transforming miracle after another.
    But at his early age, Jesus clearly says who he is. “Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?”  is our Lord’s first recorded announcement that God is his Father. Jews in those days would say “our Father”. It was near blasphemy to announce the “I AM” eternal God as “my Father”.
    Jesus, though, did this constantly throughout his ministry. As we journey through Luke and as you read the other gospels, you will see Jesus’ reference to his very intimate and personal relationship with his Father in Heaven. God, the Son, has come to show God, the Father, in the power of God, the Holy Spirit, to his people and the world. The Holy Trinity calls his own into his heavenly House. His will is that you will say, “My Father” as you dwell with him in the new Heaven and earth. John 14:2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.  
    Believe in Jesus, the Son. Live with God, the Father, forever.
 
Prayer: My Father in Heaven, thank you for sending Jesus to make it possible for his Father in Heaven to also become my Father in Heaven. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Luke 2:43 After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
 
FROM our 21st-century view in America (I’m not sure how you in Africa would find this.), we would find Joseph and Mary guilty of negligence regarding their son. In the three days Jesus was absent from his parents, we can assume Mary and Joseph traveled one day from Jerusalem, discovered him missing, traveled one day back and found him on the third day. How could they travel for a day and not know he was absent? Is this some episode of “Home Alone”?
    To gain an accurate understanding of the Bible, we must learn about the culture of the event, or narrative, we are studying. People then often traveled in caravans for safety from robbers. A caravan was a traveling community. Children of various families could easily mingle together. Mary and Joseph would assume their 12-year-old son was with friends.
     Jesus’ age is also important to consider for that culture. Twelve-year-old boys, believe it or not, were on the edge of adulthood. They were expected to assume much responsibility. Likely, Jesus was given free rein to go about his own business in the city. It was also common for many of the brightest boys to be in training for the understanding of the Torah – the Law of Moses – and the prophets’ teachings. Jesus was probably not the only boy at the temple to ask questions and to learn. Surely our Lord was coming into the age where he fully understood his identity and his purpose.  He is absorbed with the teachings of the Word because he is the Living Word.
     Luke records this event to help us understand a pivotal moment in Jesus’ life as a human. He was faithful to go with his earthly parents to the feast. He was also faithful to attend to his heavenly Father’s business in the temple. We must live in such a way as our Lord demonstrated here. Be faithful to family matters. Be faithful to the Lord’s matters. If you are, your children, your parents, your friends and your church will know where to find you.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, you are where I can find you. Amen.

Luke 2:41-42 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom.
 
WE have seen in previous lessons how Mary and Joseph were faithful to remember God’s law. Luke 2:20-24 tells us that they took their newborn son Jesus to the priest for circumcision and how Mary also went for her post-pregnancy cleansing ritual. This passage today further affirms the couple are people who continue to remember and obey the Lord’s commands. Each year they attended the Feast of Passover. This was the annual time at God’s command to remember God’s loving, gracious and powerful work to free the Jews from Egypt’s slavery and idol worship.
    How crucial it is to purposefully remember God’s freeing grace over our lives. I think most of us have been in a time in our lives when we couldn’t worship regularly. Maybe we thought it was good enough to go to church or to take communion occasionally.
    But nowhere in Scripture does God say, “Worship me however and whenever you feel like it.” That is essentially what happened in Israel. After King David’s reign, Judah had many kings who forgot God. When King Hezekiah came to Judah’s throne, he knew why the nation was in great trouble. Hear his words from 2 Chronicles 29:4-8 “Listen to me, Levites! Consecrate yourselves now and consecrate the temple of the Lord, the God of your fathers. Remove all defilement from the sanctuary. 6 Our fathers were unfaithful; they did evil in the eyes of the Lord our God and forsook him. They turned their faces away from the Lord's dwelling place and turned their backs on him…8 Therefore, the anger of the Lord has fallen on Judah and Jerusalem; he has made them an object of dread and horror and scorn, as you can see with your own eyes.” Sadly, the “church” of that day became empty. Hezekiah turned his nation to once again remember their Lord God. Peace reigned during Hezekiah’s reign. But future kings forgot God. He ultimately judged Judah into exile.
    Dads and moms, you have a responsibility. As leaders of your household, you are to remember God. Tell your children of his commands and of his grace. Tell them why they need a Savior and teach them how Jesus saves. Remember Jesus’ command to remember: Luke 22:19-20 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”
    How is it possible to take lightly or to forget such great love?
 
Prayer: Fill my mind, Lord, to remember each day for life you so freely offer to me. I pray I remember to tell others of your great love. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Luke 2:36-40 There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. 39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
 
AS we conclude Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth, here is one thought I ‘d like to leave with you. You can live the same kind of faith life Jesus did. Jesus lived in the power of the Holy Spirit. That same Spirit is available to change your life. How does this happen?
     As you seek God in the Spirit’s power, you will come to know and believe God through his Word and good teachers. In this greater knowledge, you will more personally experience his reality in your life. Faithfully walk in step with him, and God’s general will for mankind and his desire for your own life will become clear.
     In faith, then, you will be more purposeful to follow God to the place(s) he is pointing you to go. Faithful to be in God’s will, you will see how the Spirit is faithful to you. He will protect you in the Father’s eternal care. He will help you see what is right. In the Bible’s promise, the Lord will shepherd you to “lie down in green pastures”, and “surely goodness and love will follow (you) all the days of (your) life,
and (you) will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (from Psalm 23)
     That’s the kind of life Anna experienced with her Lord. Surely she grieved her husband’s death. But she went to the Lord’s pastures and followed him into his abiding presence. She found his peace and proclaimed his Word to all who came to the temple.
     No, God doesn’t expect everyone to spend a lifetime in ministry to pray and fast each day. That was Anna’s particular calling. But he does call his own to be faithful to know him, love him, follow him, and offer his saving comfort to others.
     As we begin tomorrow to examine the next steps in Jesus’ life, pray the Spirit will reveal new and wonderful ways you can live more lovingly with the Holy God.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Holy Spirit, for empowering my life to know and to love God. I pray I follow you all the days of my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.