BiblicalMastery Buddy's bible blog

Lesson 6

The Forerunner Has Come

Luke 3:1-18

There are two subjects that have interested me over the years.  I have been fascinated by the whole idea of motivation.  The other has been Christian History.  To me these two are related in many ways.  Because of the great suffering and struggles that so many Christians have endured from the first century on, one has to wonder why men and women were motivated to follow Christ knowing what might happen to them.  Of course I have come to the conclusion that Christ is more important than life itself.

Some of the men whom I have admired include:

• Polycarp an early Christian who was burned at the stake for his faith.  He had an opportunity to renounce his faith to save himself but refused to do so, choosing death instead.
• William Tyndale an early translator of the Bible into English was strangled to death because his version was not authorized by the Church.  It is interesting that the King James Version was based on much of the work by Tyndale.
• John and Charles Wesley were not permitted to preach in the churches in England but drew great crowds in the open air.
• John Bunyan spent thirteen years of his life in prison for his preaching.
• John Weatherford was jailed in Chesterfield County because he was not recognized by the Anglican Church.  Patrick Henry actually defended him in court.
• Jonathan Edwards, one of the men instrumental in the Great Awakening in the 1700’s was dismissed from the church where he was Pastor because he proclaimed that church membership did not equate to salvation.  One must be saved by the grace of Christ.

There are so many others who were driven by their commitment to Christ.  They were willing to suffer whatever man could do to them for His sake. It is easy to read about the dedication of these men and women but I have to decide if their example resonates in my life that I would be willing to follow in their footsteps.  Only time and situations will provide the complete answer.  I hope and pray that I am up to any challenge that may come my way.

Today we see a proliferation of books available criticizing Christianity and touting the Humanistic philosophy.  Writers like Richard Dawkins and other atheists not only promote their ideas but try in every way to keep others from believing in Christ.

The church has the responsibility to preach and teach the gospel.  We see all around us groups that are popular because they tell people what they want to hear. In reality what most of us are searching for is the truth.  Individuals who do not compromise can expect to be ridiculed by those opposed to God’s word being proclaimed to all people. Like John the Baptist understood his role, we too are called to prepare the hearts of the people for the coming of the Messiah who will transform their lives.  Who knows if the next great preacher may be sitting in a Bible Study or the worship service today.  Hopefully they will hear from our lips the true message of the gospel. John spoke to the hearts of his people with a message of repentance ours is one of salvation through grace.

When we last spoke of John he was but an infant.  Today we will see what became of that child.

Luke 3:1-2

Once again Luke, the historian, gives the setting and timing of the coming of John into prominence.  He wrote about those in power in the day when John began to preach.  He spoke of

• Tiberius Caesar who was in the fifteenth year of his rule as Caesar.  The year would be either 24 AD or 30 AD depending once again on the calendar used.
• Pontius Pilate who would be in power until 36 AD until he was recalled by Rome.
• Four puppet kings who were descendants of Herod the Great are mentioned, Herod Antipas who was king over Galilee; Philip, king over Iturea and Trachonitis and Lysanias, king over Abilene.
• Annas and Caiaphas who were considered high priests.  Caiaphas was actually the high priest but his father Annas was really the power behind the position.  These men were of the party of the Sadducees and were appointed by the Romans.

John the Baptist did not choose the timing for his appearance on the pages of history.  God called him while he was living in the desert. (See Luke 1:80)  He had chosen a monastic lifestyle as opposed to the living as a priest.

1. Why did Luke give the names of the men in power at the time of John the Baptist?  (It was important for believers to understand the political environment into which he came with his message)
2. What did each of these men represent? (Political and religious power)
3. How did John know that the time was right for him to appear on the scene?
4. Where had he been all those years?
5. What kind of lifestyle had he rejected? (The formal priesthood of his father)

Luke 3:3

Even as he began his ministry he did not go into any of the main cities of Galilee or Judea but remained in the area around the Jordan River. The Apostle John states that it was in Bethany beyond the Jordan which would have put John the Baptist’s ministry east of the Jordan. (See John 1:28)  This would be another example of his separation from the traditions of the religious leaders of that day.  His message was about a baptism of repentance.  The Jews did not believe that it was necessary for them to be baptized because they were the chosen people who were assured of salvation because of their status.  Baptism was for proselytes, people who were not Jews but chose to become one, who came into the faith.  John saw no distinction between Jew and Gentile.  In his mind each person needed to genuinely repent of their sins and be baptized.

1. Why did John the Baptist remain outside the main cities like Jerusalem when he began his ministry?
2. In what ways did he break with tradition?
3. What did he preach that was different than what the people had been used to hearing?
4. Why did John believe there was no distinction between Jew and Gentile?

Luke 3:4-6

Luke saw John the Baptist as the fulfillment of the prophecy found in Isaiah 40:3-5.  His role was to be one to prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah and the mind of Isaiah the true king of Israel.  The picture that is painted here is the preparation of the landscape to make sure the arrival of the king would be without any problems. Whatever debris or holes found along the road, that would slow the progress of the king, must be cleared. Although Luke does not indicate that the words were spoken by John the Apostle John does. (See John 1:23)

1. What did Luke believe about John the Baptist?
2. What does Isaiah say about the role that John was to play?
3. What picture does the verses in Isaiah paint for us?
4. Why did the Apostle John indicate that John the Baptist spoke these words and Luke did not?  (In John, John the Baptist was answering questions from those sent from Jerusalem and wanted to downplay his position.)        
5. What are some the obstacles we face that must be cleared from our lives before the Messiah can come?

Luke 3:7

Although Luke referred to everyone who came to John the Baptist as “a brood of vipers,” Matthew reserved this condemnation for the Pharisees and Sadducees who showed up to be baptized. (See Matthew 3:7)  The religious leaders showed up out of curiosity and animosity.  They were angry because John was including them in with those who needed forgiveness. 

The question John then asked could mean two things.  When speaking of the religious leaders he may have been speaking of the poisonous influence they had with the people.  If he spoke of everyone, they all were all fleeing from the judgment they were to face because of their sin.  The question was really a rhetorical one.  He knew they had all heard about the message he was preaching.

1. Why did Luke speak of all the people while Matthew referred only to the religious leaders when speaking of being offspring of vipers?
2. Why did the Sadducees and Pharisees come out to John?
3. Why would he speak more harshly to the religious leaders?
4. What are the actions of snakes when face with the flame of judgment?
5. Why would he as the question about the warning? (They had all heard what he was preaching.)

Luke 3:8

John stated that there should be an obvious change in the way one lives as a result of his or her repentance.  They could not count on the fact that they were descendants of Abraham to keep them from the judgment to come.  To point out their desperate situation he pointed that God could produce all the descendants He desired out of the rocks that were scattered on the ground.  The self-importance they felt meant nothing to God.

1. What should be the result of one who has repented of their sins?
2. Why could they not count on being descendants of Abraham?
3. What satirical remark did John make primarily to the religious leaders?
4. How often does pride get in the way of what God wants to do in your life?

Luke 3:9

The Day of Judgment was on the horizon.  All who did not repent and bear fruit as evidence of a changed life would face the consequences of their sin. The judgment would not come by way of John.  He was there to prepare the way for Jesus.  It would be as a result of the acceptance or rejection of Him.

1. What did John mean by the “axe”?
2. What part did John play in the judgment?
3. Who would bring the judgment?
4. How did John know that it was coming?

Luke 3:10-14

Three different groups came to John for answers to life’s situations.  They wanted to know how to live in a way that they were bearing the fruit he talked about.  Notice there is nothing about salvation in any of the commands from John. The people wanted to know what to do.  He said to

• The crowd- They should share clothing and food with those who had nothing.
• Tax Collectors – They were to be honest in their dealings with the people.
• Soldiers – Do not oppress the people or take money from them or make false accusations. They were to be satisfied with what they were being paid.

 

1. Why were the people seeking clarity in the teachings of John?
2. What did the diversity of the people who came to John show about his preaching?
3. What was the common factor?
4.  Why could the message to them not be considered the gospel? (It was more of the works oriented mindset so prevalent in the Jewish religion and other religions today. It has even spilled over into some groups who call themselves Christian, but teach a doctrine of receiving want you desire based on what you do.)
5. What did the teaching of John achieve? (Focusing on others instead of self, which was different from that of the religious leaders of the day who did everything to draw attention to themselves.)

Luke 3:15-18

It is understandable, that for someone like John to come on the scene after four hundred years of silence on God’s part, people would begin to wonder who he was.  There were those who speculated that he might even be long awaited the Messiah. John very quickly dispelled those thoughts.  He explained the difference between what he was doing as the forerunner and what the Christ to come would do.  The preparation work he was to do was all about repentance and baptism with water and no more. 

He spoke of the One to come in the following way. In the mind of John He was:

• To be mightier than John to the extent that he was not fit to even untie the Messiah’s sandals.
• To baptize not with water but with the Holy Spirit and fire. This occurred at Pentecost.
• The One who has the power and authority to bring judgment on those who rejected Him and salvation to those who accepted Him as their Savior.

With encouraging words he spoke of the good news of the one to come.  John knew his role and he was never deterred from fulfilling it even when receiving praise from completing the task.

1. Why was there speculation that John might be the Messiah?  (He came on the scene as a spokesman for God after four hundred years of silence.)
2. How often do we get caught up in the words of a charismatic speaker or politician etc. and believe that they can accomplish great things? Name some individuals who have impacted your life. 
3. What was your reaction when you found out they could not deliver.
4. How was John different from most self-proclaimed experts?
5. To whom did he point?
6. What did he say about the true Messiah who was to come?
7. Why were these final words good news?

Luke 3:19

The political correctness police operated even in those days.  John made the fatal mistake of criticizing Herod Antipas for his act of immorality. Herod had stolen the wife of Philip, his brother, and took her as his own wife. Luke indicates that Herod had also committed other evil acts.  Eventually, to shut John up he had him arrested and put into a dungeon cell.

1. How much like what occurs today were the actions of Herod?
2. What was it that got John into trouble?
3. Why was Herod offended by what John was saying? (He knew John was right but did not want to deal with the guilt of what he had done.)
4. How did he think throwing John into prison was going to help the situation?  (One thing he would not have the ongoing reminders from John for what he had done.)

 

• Take care that people mislead you with false promises and ideas.
• Look out for others and help them in their time of need.
• Exam yourself to see if there is any pride or other sin operating in your life for which you need to be forgiven.
• Ask for forgiveness if there is a need.
• Always be of the mindset to point others to Jesus and not yourself.

We probably do not think about it very much but God has allowed us to be here at this particular time and place.  The location of a church like ours and the people in it are not where we are by accident.  We did not choose the place or time but brought us together for a purpose.  The privilege we have is to share the good news using all of our gifts and abilities in the community in which the church is located. 

We have to realize that it is His work we are about and it cannot be done without the empowering of the Holy Spirit. It is the work to glorify God and be His presence among the people to which He has called us to serve.  John’s advice to those who came to him fits our role perfectly.  First we are to point people to Jesus. Secondly, we are to serve unselfishly in meeting the needs of others.  Nothing that is done is to be for our own glory but always that the name of Jesus is front and center in all of our ministries.

Additional Notes:

M-Responds to the call of God as shown to him from His Word. Understands that the call is to carry out the purpose that God has for his life.  The call is individual. The will of God is also for the individual, even though it may very well affect many others. (Luke 3:3-6, 16)

 M-John the Baptist was motivated by the fact that he was fulfilling in his life what God had called him to be and do. (Luke 3:3-6)

GC-A follower of Christ is to share what he has. (Luke 3:11; 6:30)

GC-Honest (Luke 3:13)

GC-Content with what we have (Luke 3:14)

GC-Does not make false accusations (Luke 3:14)

RT-When we understand the reality of baptism, man can only take part in the outward sign of the decision by being immersed in the water.  It is God who changes the heart of man and brings about a baptism that takes place internally through the work of the Holy Spirit. This change of heart brings about a new attitude and altered behavior as he strives to serve Christ. (Luke 3:16)

GC-Exhorts others with the teaching and preaching of the gospel (Luke 3:18)