The Herald of the Truth-Luke 3:1-22

1 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. 3 He 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.' " 7 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." 10 "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." 15 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. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." 18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them. 19 But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of Herodias, his brother's wife, and all the other evil things he had done, 20 Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison. 21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

In studying this week's passage we really see 2 things: this is a story of John and Jesus...it is a story of one ministry ending...and one ministry beginning.

From the passage we can learn this about John the Baptist:

• John the Baptist was a voice “crying in the wilderness”

(Luke 3:4; see also Isaiah. 40:1–5, John 1:23). He was like the herald who went before the royal procession to make sure the roads were ready for the king.
He rebuked their sins and announced God’s salvation, for without conviction there can be no conversion.

• John the Baptist is compared to a farmer who chops down useless trees.

John reminded them that God gets to the root of things and is not impressed with religious profession that does not produce fruit.

• John the Baptist was a teacher.

He not only preached publicly, but he also had a personal ministry to the people, telling them how to practice their new faith (Luke 3:10–14).

What is not brought out a lot on this passage is John's relationship, his personal ministry to the people. In verses 10-15 we see this verbal exchange....and look at what John speaks to the crowd that has come to hear his words:
1) The Crowds-Be Generous
"The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same."
2) The Tax Collectors-Be Honest
"Don't collect any more than you are required to," he told them.
3) The Soldiers-Be A Person of Integrity & Gratitude
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."

But then, he tells of one to come, one who will baptize them in a new way...

John knew that Jesus of Nazareth was the perfect Son of God who had no need to repent of sin.
Why then was the sinless Son of God baptized?

-His baptism gave approval to John’s baptism
-His baptism identified Him with the sinners that He came to save.
-His baptism was the official start of His ministry (Acts 1:21–22; 10:37–38).

But our Lord’s words tell us the main reason for His baptism:
“for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew. 3:15)

In the way pictured by His baptism in the Jordan. Many Bible scholars agree that NewTestament baptism was by immersion, which is a picture of death, burial, and resurrection.
Our Lord’s baptism in water was a picture of His work of redemption (Matt. 20:22; Luke 12:50). It was through His baptism of suffering on the cross that God “fulfilled all righteousness.”

So, Why Do We Need Baptism?
Jesus didn’t only SET our example…he COMMANDED us to FOLLOW it.
Mark 16:16/Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Matthew 28:18/Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (NOTICE: ALL AUTHORITY!)
19. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20. and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Matthew 28:19-20

In a verse used for baptism emphasis time and time again, we sometimes have put too much emphasis on the first part...and not realized the power and blessing attached to the second part.
Acts 2 :38/"Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call." 39. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call." 40. With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41. Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Acts 2:39-41

Here’s the point I believe…If you have been putting off…or dodging being baptized…you aren’t just putting baptism off…you are in reality rebelling against the AUTHORITY & COMMANDMENT of CHRIST.
Have you heard the “voice”…is the “soil” of your heart ready…do you need “teaching”…or will you stay out of the authority of Christ?

Questions to Discuss:

1. What was the basic message of John the Baptist? (Luke 3:3) Exactly what is repentance? What are its two sides?

2. How sensitive was John to the crowds that came to hear him? (Luke 3:7-8) Why was John harsh with them? How would you feel if your pastor or a teacher called you a vicious snake?

3. If baptism was a sign of repentance from sin, why did Jesus ask to be baptized?

4. What do you think Jesus was saying to the Father as he was praying after his baptism?

5. Why would Jesus be baptized along with all the sin-laden people at the river that day? Wasn't he in danger of miscommunicating to them who he was?

6. Why do you think God staged the dove to descend in a visible way?

7. What was the significance of the Holy Spirit descending upon Jesus at this time in his life? Did everyone see this symbol of the Holy Spirit, or was it just visible to John and Jesus?

8. How did Jesus interpret the Voice that sounded from heaven?

9. Did Jesus become the Messiah at this point? Or become divine? Or how do you understand this decisive event?