Repentance

Bible In A Year | Read: Luke 3

3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘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 people will see God’s salvation.’ ”  Luke 3:3-6 

Overview of Chapter

The ministry of John the Baptist had been predicted in the Old Testament. He was to prepare people for the coming Messiah, who was Jesus. The Jews thought they had a good relationship with God just because they were Jews. John the Baptist makes it clear that God is not impressed with the fact that they descended from Abraham, the father of the Jews. They need to have a heart that is right with God, which should be demonstrated by their behavior. Luke also documents Jesus’ ancestry. The Messiah had been promised to be a descendant of Israel’s ancient King David. This genealogy showed that Jesus was David’s descendant.

Like the Jews, people can sometimes think they have a special relationship with God due to something other than trusting Jesus: being a good person, belonging to a church, participating in certain rituals, or coming from a religious family. God isn’t impressed by any of that. Just like those from the crowd around John the Baptist, we need to be ready to listen to Jesus.

Thoughts on the verses

John the Baptist proclaimed a message of repentance (see v. 3). John prepared the way for Jesus by calling people to repent of their sin. Repentance is different from religious activity, which simply changes our behavior. Repentance results in a transformed heart, which changes our thoughts, motivations, and actions. John was calling the crowds to respond to God’s grace with true, life-changing repentance (see vv. 11-14). Likewise, when confronted with needs, we can’t do nothing. 

Look at verses 9 and 17. The images of judgment in these passages are stark and visceral. John’s Before John painted a picture of judgment, he offered promises of coming grace. In verses 4-6 we see a total reversal of the order of the world. The Lord is preparing a path for all people to know Him. As obstacles are removed, “everyone will see the salvation of God” (v. 6). As the gospel moves forward, the world changes, across the street and around the world.

Action Steps

Bible: What is God showing me?  What am I going to do about it? 

Bless: Serve one person through word, action, or gift today.

Have you ever thought it would be cool to hear some C3 leaders discuss the daily verses, share about their lives and mostly just talk about nonsense?  Of course not!…even though nobody has ever thought that we are still doing it.  You can follow along with us each morning in a brand new podcast – Monday Comments & Alisha is back….sorta..