LUKE 3:1-20 THE WORD OF GOD CAME As I follow the pen of the "ready writer," Luke, the historical account of the place and time of events is very carefully explained. He mentions the name of seven leaders, four of them political leaders and two religious leaders. The evil and ungodly men stand out even in the secular history of those times. Two high priests at the same time was not according to the Jewish law. The Roman authorities had picked Caiaphas as their choice. When the laws of men are allowed to control the minds of men and override the will of God, a nation is near the place of disintegration. God does allow what He does not condone or want, to bring about a higher purpose. It was into this ungodly and confusing time "the word of God came to John." 18 years had passed since Jesus was in the temple hearing the doctors and asking them questions. Now both John and Jesus would be "about 30 years of age." John was probably in the wilderness for 10 years having gone there to prepare for his prophetic work instead of preparing for a priestly ministry as was usual for one of a priest's family when he reached the age of 20. John stepped into the public area around the age of 30 as guided by the "word of God," and began preaching the message of repentance to a nation gone far astray.
The ministry of a servant of God is never something to be taken lightly. The times and events surrounding one's ministry makes it the responsibility of the servant to address those issues in a biblical way. We live in a day of great departure when the word of God is being ignored and belittled. It is not right for us to leave unaddressed the biblical teaching regarding the events and responsibilities of our times. The needed change across the nation begins with individuals who are awakened by the Spirit of God to their own need first. When they have come in "repentance to God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ," then they have an impact on others. If all true Christians would identify themselves by holiness of life and word, their righteousness would have a great effect on those around them. That is the practice the word of God brought to John, he lived what he preached, and that is the principle we must act on if we are going to make any difference in our nation in this generation.
John was "the voice of one crying in the wilderness." He came preaching his prophetic message of the coming of the Lord. The "voice" was that of one who was an authentic prophet. There hadn't been a prophetic voice for over 400 years, but when his voice was heard telling of the coming Lord, the need of sins to be remitted, and preaching genuine repentance for sins, the people knew this man was a real prophet. He did not just speak in a general way and make casual suggestions as to what could be done - he loudly proclaimed what must be done. The consequences of sins were not contained in words easy to take. He warned of sin, of righteousness and of judgment to come. Not only was the message authentic - the man was authentic as well. There were no "seeker friendly" ties that bound him.
The message of repentance has two parts to it. Not only does one turn away from sin, but one must turn to God. Those who make a profession of faith in Christ but there is no turning away from sin, are not Christians. Those who change their lifestyle and way of living but do not bother to do what God wants are not Christians. True repentance involves turning from "darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God." Reality follows true repentance. We can't say we are believers and just live any way we choose, nor does a child of God simply live a moral life and not love God and not want to serve Him. A relationship with God results in appreciating and experiencing the forgiveness of sins and responding to that openly.
In John's day, ritualistic religion was all that they were used to. Now not only the Jews, but to all mankind God's salvation would be seen. Jews thought as long as they were Abraham's descendants they were in God's favor. Under John's preaching all of the people regardless of what occupation they were, had to repent and the inward reality was testified to by baptism. There were the false and the true then the same as there is today. John challenged them to bring forth fruits that proved what they professed was real. It is reasonable to expect that real repentance will bring reality in the public's response to the preaching of the word of God. Love will be seen. Good works will result. There will be a change in one's life as well as in one's mind. Repentance and a change from our old nature to a "new creation in Christ Jesus," go together.
It is reasonable to expect that following a work of God in the soul there will be a desire to share with others what we have. Our work will reflect our changed nature as we do our work well and are fair. A contentment with what we have will give us joy in what we are privileged to do for God. The message of John resonated with the poor, those who knew they were dishonest, the discontented and the hated. The impact of the message of repentance will be evident when the "chaff" of falseness is blown away and when adversity or temptation come. The real "wheat" will remain after the great mound of falsehood is blown away by the winds of life, materialism and self-centeredness. A few genuine believers who remain when the big storms of life remove the counterfeit, are enough to bring glory to God. It is only reasonable to expect the preaching of repentance will not make people feel comfortable. We dare not deceive people by not telling them of, the eternal consequences of sin in hell and the lake of fire. Repentance precedes the call of faith in the Lord that brings redemption and forgiveness.
Its source is the highest authority, the word we have is from God. The reason is of the highest priority, to every individual in the crowd. The response is by the lowest minority, it is only in those who repent. The result is in the truest reality when believed by those to whom the message was sent.
The voice was that of a strange man, obviously sent to the nation from God. The words were convicting as they can, when coming from God's holy word. The tone was loud and urgent, no careless or casual message was this. The warnings were very stringent to men, eternal damnation or bliss.
The man was thought to be strange, that's true of every prophet. . The message was to bring change, from which they would spiritually profit. The means was to challenge by preaching what people need to hear. The reality was in reaching the conscience of those who fear.
When given the responsibility to tell others of God's salvation, We must give warnings of hell, and then tell how to be forgiven. Where others may preach a smooth message, we must warn of sin. What is the real truth of a passage in the word is where we must begin.
"Opening and alleging" is not new, others did that before. Appealing" and "teaching" what is true is what we "beseech" and "implore." It is not our message but God's, it is in His name we are to speak. It is repentance and faith in the Lord, those who hear us are to seek.
It would be wrong for us to cover some sins people don't think are bad. If for some reason a conviction I smother, just to make someone feel glad, I then am a false teacher, with a lost soul's blood on my head, Unworthy to be a preacher, because someone in the wrong way I led.
The word of God is sure, and we never go wrong when we preach it. The word of God is pure, and can bring light when we appropriately teach it. The word of God is our source of truth and information to pass on. The word of God brings faith when true repentance is done.
"Father, I pray what has been preached in this last week; has had beneficial results on all who heard it. I pray what will be spoken in the week ahead will bring glory to Thee and blessing to those who will hear it. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."