March 8, 2010
Luke 3
Pastor JoAn Blackmon
Luke used this chapter to give us a snapshot of the life and times of John the Baptist. He meticulously named the current political and religious leaders to verify this particular date in history. He quoted from the words of Isaiah, written centuries earlier, to show that John was the man fulfilling Scriptural prophecy through his unique preaching ministry summarized by calling everyone to a ‘baptism of repentance.’ It is clear from the text that the witness of this man’s life, the truthful ring of his words, and the urgency of his call to action created a feeling of expectancy and a desire for personal change in those around him. Large crowds followed him, asking if he was the Savior for whom they were looking.
John the Baptist was quick to correct their thinking. “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.” (Luke 3:16) John’s mission was to prepare them to receive Christ. If any glory, attention, or hope for rescue was being focused on him, they would be disappointed. How could there be any comparison between the messenger and the Message? How could one confuse the symbolism of water immersion with the spiritual saturation of the Spirit?
Could this fiery preacher himself possibly accomplish any eternal work?
Only this—he lived out God’s plan for his life. He stayed true to mission. He was uncompromising in his lifestyle. He was radical in his faith. And this---he knew the only really important thing was to prepare people to meet the Savior.
One of Pastor JoAn’s favorite scriptures: “But my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus - the work of telling others the Good News about God’s wonderful kindness and love.” Acts 20:24 (NLT)
