Time to Study

Luke 3:21a When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized, too.
 
IF you have not read the gospels of Matthew and Mark, or if you have not been taught about Jesus’ baptism, you would not know from this passage that John baptized Jesus. In fact, based on what we’ve read in Luke 3 to this point, you could easily think John was in Herod’s jail when Jesus is baptized. Surprisingly, Luke does not report that John baptized Jesus. Instead, the sequence of Luke 3 is designed to summarize John’s ministry and John’s persecution. Then Jesus’ baptism is the turning point to God’s revelation.
    We focus on this difference in the gospels because it teaches us about reading the Bible. Events are not necessarily recorded in a chronological order. The Bible’s inspired writers were informing their contemporary audience with a certain purpose. Remember, Luke is writing to Theophilus (Luke 1:1) to focus on Jesus, not on John. John is the Announcer. Jesus is the Messiah. Luke appropriately highlights the John-to-Jesus process in Luke 1. Remember how Luke wrote of John’s conception and birth, and then he told of Jesus’ conception and birth. Luke then repeats the “John first” pattern as it related to John’s and Jesus’ ministries. John preaches and baptizes. When Jesus begins to preach, John is only mentioned again in Luke 7 just prior to his death.
    The apostle John explains John the Baptist’s ministry order in this way in John 3:23 Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were constantly coming to be baptized. 24 (This was before John was put in prison.) Do you see how you must study the Bible? Yes, it is easier to read a few verses each day and then say, “I read my Bible.” This is certainly a good thing to do. Be encouraged then to add to your reading with some good time of study. Study Bibles are numerous and of great benefit. Many podcasts and radio stations have excellent Bible teaching. When you know the truth of God’s Word, the Spirit will lead you to more personally discover God’s impact on your life. As God becomes more clear and personal to you, you will be rooted and established in love, (to) have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:17b-19)
    Surely, this promise should motivate you to spend study time with the One who loves you.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your Word. I pray I know it to know you. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.