Luke 3 - 4

From the very beginning of his ministry, Christ demonstrated his authority over every area of creation, demons, disease, nature, human laws and institutions. Later, this produced confrontations with life and death importance. But for now, the main effect is to attract the multitudes, arouse curiosity, and establish a basis for individuals to believe his claims. Visible miracles and physical healings offer a way for the Son of Man to demonstrate his authority to forgive sins and heal lives spiritually. In anticipation of the day when others would carry on the work he began, Jesus makes a prayerful and careful selection of twelve men (called apostles) to be his close inner circle of friends.

In Chapter 3 we have the baptism of Jesus by John and in Chapter 4 where Jesus is tempted by Satan…both verifying Jesus’ authority! Tucked away in chapter 4 is an indispensable key to facing temptation successfully. “Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan River, being urged by the Spirit into the barren, wastelands of Judea…Then Jesus returned to Galilee, full of the Holy Spirit’s power.” 4:1, 14

Glorious things were said of John in Chapter 1 but we lost him in the desert (verse 80). Our setting in this third chapter is described in verse 1: The time he reappears in the account must be important because the first verse sets the date in a cruel time, the government of the heathen. The fifteenth year of the Roman emperor, Tiberius Caesar, the third of the 12 Caesars, was a very bad man. Under the dominion of Tiberius…an inconsiderable despicable part of the Roman empire.

The Jews had a badge of servitude. Pilate was the governor of Judaea, his character was considered wicked and he had no conscience of a lie. He reigned treacherously and at last was sent to Rome to answer for his bad administration. It is thought that the empire which had earlier been in its entirety under Herod the Great was divided into four parts for the four rulers named.

During their period of reign two priests served, Annas and Caiaphas. It was a complex historical and political situation in Israel during Jesus’ day. A first century Israelite had to deal with the edicts of the Roman emperor, the regulations of the governor over Israel, and the judgments of the religious leaders of Israel.
John resided in the most solitary part of the country, but when he received Word from the Lord, he came into the heavily inhabited area. This is a reminder to us: We must many times leave our comfort zones – we must cheerfully exchange them for other sights and goals when the Lord speaks to us.

John came preaching a baptism of repentance. He was saying to change their minds, and change their ways, to live new lives.
We must also keep in mind that at this time, the Holy Spirit had not yet been spread abroad.

“The word of God came unto John. It is the same expression that is used concerning the O.T. prophets for John was a prophet. The word came to John in the wilderness…God’s Word is not lost in the wilderness…It found John! John was the son of a priest and now that he is turning 30, he was to become a priest, but God had something far more honorable for John.

John preached Repentance:
In the Greek Metanoeo – literally to perceive afterwards (meta, after; implying change
Noeo, to perceive; nous, the mind, the seat of moral reflection)
The word is found in Luke, nine times.
As regards repentance from sin (a) the requirement by God on man’s part is set forth (b) the mercy of God in giving repentance or leading men to it is set forth.
In the N. T. the subject chiefly has reference to repentance from sin, and this change of mind involves both a turning from sin and a turning to God. The parable of the prodigal son is an outstanding illustration of this. Christ began His ministry with a call to repentance, but the call is addressed not as in the O. T. to the nation, but to the individual.

Repentance according to Noah Webster 1828 dictionary: Sorrow for any thing done or said; the pain or grief which as person experiences in consequence of the injury or inconvenience produced by his won conduct.
In theology, the pain, regret or affliction which a person feels on account of his past conduct, because it exposes him to punishment, is called legal repentance, as being excited the terrors of legal penalties, and it may exist without an amendment of life.
“Repentance is a change of mind, or a conversion from sin to God.” Hammond
Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation. II Cor. 8; Matt.3
“Repentance is the relinquishment of any practice, from conviction that it has offended God.” Johnson

Repentance is NOT penance. It is a change of mind about sin and the Savior. It is turning with a broken and contrite heart from sin to the Savior. It is NOT just a change of opinion; it is a change of one’s inner attitude. It is being willing not only that God should take away sins by forgiving them; it is being willing to put them away by forsaking them.

Repentance is not a one time act. It is a continual attitude of an humble and contrite heart toward God and toward others. It being attained by changing our minds to agree with God about what is right and what is wrong so that we can have His rule in our lives.

There seems to be confusion regarding repentance. The lost man thinks that he will have to change himself before he receives the Lord Jesus Christ. He does not accept that he cannot do what only Christ “in you” can do. Until the Lord indwells the believer (2nd birth), behavior changes are superficial and done only through human strength.

Also, many people express sorrow when they realize the painful consequences of their sins. This is not true repentance. “Sorry because I am now in pain.” “Sorry I got caught.” “Sorry I am having to pay the consequences of my sin.” Etc.

As my pastor of many years and I were discussing repentance, we settled on a two part definition of repentance which we think defines it for easy remembrance and accurate meaning:
SALVATION repentance: changing your mind about Who Jesus is and changing your attitude toward sin…in other words, CHOOSING a new state of mind. (The Publican and the Pharisee Acts 2:21, Luke 18:14)
BEHAVIORAL repentance: allowing the Lord to change your behavior AFTER you are born again, and to continue to do so throughout your Christian walk. (David for his sins; Peter’s repentance for denying the Lord.

After receiving the Lord Jesus we can still depend upon our human strength to live the Christian life. Even D.L.Moody as a well-known believer and doer of good works, at one time realized that in all his human strength, with all his determination, energy, and strength that he could not do the job without enablement from the Lord. He said, “I was all the time carrying water, now I have a river that carries me.”

John gave the same warnings and exhortations to the great, to the many…all people in general…level playing ground!

Repentance is based on the awareness that every word, thought, and action will be revealed and judged. Repentance prepares the way for total restoration of broken relationships.

Five steps of repentance:
1. Recognize God’s presence (Isaiah and Saul of Tarsus)
2. Change our minds. (about Who Jesus is and who we will allow to control our lives.)
3. Grieve in our hearts over sin. (Isaiah 53:5 In a sense we are either allowing Christ to rule our hearts or we are “crucifying Him.”)
4. Walk away from sin. (We should hate sin.
5. Take action directed by God. Peter at Pentecost said to the people, “Him…ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain…” They were pricked in their hearts just as we should be to realize that OUR sins put Him on the tree.)

The Lord says for ALL to repent, Ezekiel 14:6 Acts 3:19, Acts 17:30-31, 26:20

“generation of vipers—not only poisoned, but poisonous; hateful to God, hating one another. The way to flee from the wrath to come is only by repentance.

“bring forth therefore fruits of repentance—a change of mind is evidenced by a change in our ways. If we are not really holy in heart and life, our profession of religion will not stand for us. John warned that the fruits of repentance are necessary not the claim of an ancestral connection to Abraham. You cannot make excuses and say, “But my grandfather was a good man!” External genealogical connections will not change one’s attitude toward God. This is an individual responsibility.

A good example is the king of Nineveh and his people when Jonah FINALLY obeyed the Lord. We should be so zealous to repent. Rev. 3:19

We have no reason to depend upon our external privileges and professions of religion, because God can effectually secure his own honor and interest without us. In other words, God does not need us!

Baptism figuratively means “to be identified with” as an unbleached cloth is identified with the color in a vat of dye when it is dipped. As John the Baptist preached and the people identified with his message, they were baptized as an outward sign of their inward repentance or “change of mind”

Prepare the way…this citation from Is. 40:3-5 declares the coming of God’s deliverance. Luke cites the text more fully than Matthew or Mark. He carries the passage through to its mention of salvation being seen by all flesh, thus highlighting that the Gospel is for all people. The preparation for the arrival of a king typically meant that a road was prepared for his journey. This is what Isaiah compares to the arrival of God’s salvation.

A genuine change of mind resulted in a change of action for the people, the tax collectors and the soldiers.
The Pharisees and Sadduccees who came to John’s baptism did not ask, “What can we do?” They thought they knew what to do. On the other hand the soldiers and publicans knew that they had done many things wrong…they were conscious of their sins were inquisitive. What shall we do? The repentant were instructed to give to those in need, to work at their jobs with integrity, to refrain from abusing their power and to be content with earning a basic wage.

Those who are baptized must be taught! Those who confess repentance should show evidences of repentance. Those who would do their duty must desire to know their duty.

John tells the people what they should do according to their stations in life. He told the people to be charitable. What we have we are but stewards of and must use it accordingly as our Father directs. Steward=slave to care for and use wisely the possessions of his Master.

To the publicans, the collectors of the emperor’s revenue (v.13) “Exact no more than that which is appointed you. The tax collectors were Jewish agents employed by those who had purchased the right to collect taxes for the Roman state. They often added interest to cover their own expenses and to pad their income. They were disliked both for their business practices and for their support of the occupying state. John makes it clear that they are to do justice between the government and the merchant and not oppress the people in levying the taxes. As in many cases of someone being put in a position of authority: John did not want them to bear down hard on the people as those that have ever so little branch of power are apt to abuse it. “Collect what you should for Caesar, but don’t add to make gain for yourselves.” He is NOT telling them to quit their jobs, but to be just and honest in their jobs.

To the soldiers: John did not tell them to lay down their guns, but to be cautious in using them improperly…not to injure with necessity. “Do violence to no man.” Your business is to keep the peace, do not put people in fear…only evil doers should be terrorized but a protection to those who do well. Don’t accuse any falsely to the government, some do such things to gain bribes. Treat each other with respect and do not complain to those over you to bring injury to a fellow soldier. Don’t complain to one another about those over you. Don’t entertain thoughts of turning on your chain of authority. Don’t fuss about your pay…”be content with your wages”. When you have what you agreed to, don’t fuss for more. Men become oppressive and injurious when they are discontent in this way. It is wisdom to make the best of whatever situation you find yourself.

When man’s expectations are raised, the things they are in expectation of become doubly acceptable. When the people listened to John they saw that his sayings were excellent. They began to consider that perhaps this was the time for the Messiah to appear. John had done his job well, “Prepare the way.”

Next, they look at John and ask, “Is this the Man?” His life was holy and strict, his preaching was powerful and carried authority. That which puts men in a position to begin to consider, reason with themselves prepares the way for Christ.

John told them what they needed to do, but he added the most important thing that they were to do, “expect the Messiah now shortly to appear. This instruction served as an answer to their questionings and debates concerning John:
He made it clear that the most he could do was to baptize them with water. He could only encourage them to repent and assure them of forgiveness when they repented.
He is turning them over to Jesus Christ, for Whom he was sent to prepare the way.
He did not want them debate whether he was the Messiah or not, but to look for the Messiah that was really so.
John declares the Messiah to have a greater excellency than he has, he is one the “latchet of his sandal he does not think himself worthy to loose.” John was a prophet, but Christ was a prophet more than John. We should speak so humbly about Christ.
He is mightier than I… the people thought that John had mighty power. The baptisim that John did was in token of the fact that the people should purify and cleanse themselves. This was his first mention of Jesus. John’s baptism was minor compared to what was coming from Jesus. He made the comparison and said that Christ would give the Holy Spirit Who would cleanse and purify the heart. John preached a separation between the good and the evil, but Christ has a fan in his hand with which he can and will perfectly separate between the wheat and the chaff.
Baptism in the Holy Spirit is referred to seven times in the N.T. – four times in the Gospels, and once in Ephesians. As a result of Christ’s work at His first coming, believers are placed into one family and commended to the care of the Holy Spirit. When Christ comes a second time, He will come with the fire of judgment.

John spoke comfort to those that receive the Gospel, but Christ will give comfort. John only promised them that they would be safe, but Christ will make them safe. John threatened hypocrites, and tells the barren trees that they shall be hewn down and cast into the fire, but Christ can execute that threat. Those who are chaff…light and vail and worthless….he will burn with fire. Chaff refers to useless shells of grain that were separated from the useful wheat by the winnowing fan, a wooden forklike shovel that lifted the grain in the air so that the wind could separate it. The chaff was burned, picturing those who will undergo judgment. The unquenchable fire indicates the thorough nature of the judgment.

Many did recognize the Messiah when He arrived, but many did not. Or did they recognize and refused to change their minds about Who Christ was and is? Did they refuse to repent? Just in such a way as many today do not accept Who Jesus is!

Luke has given us a beautiful picture of Christ. In Chapter one he shows us the threefold perfection of that wonderful Man, Jesus. Fist he tells us about the PHYSICAL (the birth. Then about the boyhood and the MENTAL development. Then the Jordan baptism and the voice from heaven which attested His MORAL AND SPIRITUAL perfection when He was thirty years old. Luke’s account gives us that threefold perfection of our Lord’s real and complete sinless humanity.

YET, there was much more that must take place in Jesus’ life: 1) the spiritual anointing expressed when the Holy Spirit as a dove descended upon the approved and sanctified Jesus. 2) the temptation by Satan [Jesus must be tested, tried, proved] demonstrated that Jesus was controlled by the Holy Spirit (4:1…led by the Spirit) The temptation was threefold and was directed against the three parts of Jesus’ humanity: the physical, the spiritual, the mental.

AND can it be different with ourselves? There is no big spiritual blessing which can come to us from God without there being the inevitable testing afterwards. Be prepared so as not to lose the blessing of the blessing. Be prepared to enjoy the joy of victory. And we will be prepared is we have “ears to hear”.

Luke confirms the humanity of Christ and God confirmed His diety:
100% God-100% Man!

AVENUES OF TEMPTATION: I John 2:15-17
FIRST ADAM - LAST ADAM – Jesus
*the lust of the flesh *the lust of the eye and *the pride of life