PREPARE THE WAY FOR THE LORD
Luke 3:1-14Key Verse: 3:2 "...during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert."
Today we begin our first message on Luke’s Gospel beginning with Chapter 3. Chapters 1 and 2 are being saved for Christmas studies. Luke the author whom the Holy Spirit used to pin this gospel was a historian. As he begins to tell the timeless good news about Jesus Christ he first touches on the ministry of John the Baptist. In the eyes of God John the Baptist had an extremely important mission. His mission was to help people see Jesus Christ. For some people all John had to do was say: “Look there is the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” For most others, his way of pointing out Jesus was much more difficult both for himself and those who received his message. For John, to help people see Jesus was like building the first railroad to connect the eastern United States to the western United States. Do you know what the number one tool was to build this railroad? Dynamite! Mountains had to be blown up and thrown around. The powerful preaching that enabled John to help people see Jesus was the message of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. It is a very difficult mission to help people remove their massive boulders of sin. Let us now carefully listen to John the Baptist message so the Holy Spirit may use his words to help us see and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Part 1 The times when John began his ministry (1-3)
Look at verse 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 Lysania tetrarch of Abilene” Since Luke was a historian he uses the political leaders as time indicators to show the reader when John the Baptist began his ministry. A brief look into these political leaders rule we find one common quality – “Kill, destroy and totally annihilate anyone who opposed their leadership.” These days our media does not blame Hurricane Katrina for the devastation it left behind in Louisiana and Mississippi. It blames the political leaders. How does our president react to these accusations? He says; “You’re right, I take full responsibility.” Then he ordered up the greatest relief effort in U.S. History. Now let us think how these political leaders mentioned in verse 1 would have reacted to a similar national disaster that happened under their watch. Tiberius Caesar reign as Roman emperor for 23 years. I learned in group bible study the only thing he was noted for was being unsociable and living out his days as emperor in some Roman emperor vacation estate. If he was given a report of the total devastation, spread of disease, rape and looting was going on, he would have reacted: “Eww, don’t trouble me with such bad news.” Or suppose Pontius Pilate was given the news people under his governing province lost their homes. He would have reacted: “I wash my hands of any responsibility of the lost of their homes.” Or suppose Herod tetrarch of Galilee was told: “There are people in Galilee stranded on top of their homes.” He would have reacted: “Stop troubling me or I will behead you.”
Luke 2:79 tells us what the conditions of the people were like when John the Baptist began his ministry: “to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death.” Quite literally the only leader who cared for the wellbeing of the people was God the Creator himself. However God does not begin to show his care as we understand care should be given. He did not send food, medicine, justice or better living conditions. According to verse 2 he began to show his care for these people living in darkness and the shadow of death by sending his word to John the Baptist. Let us read verse 2b: “The word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert.” The word of God made John into the most influential man in Israel. To John the Baptist, God’s word was sharper and more persuasive than any double edge sword. Hebrews 4:12 tells us: “The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edge sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” What power on earth can actually divide the soul and spirit? God’s word alone. As we read these words: “the Word of God came to John” we may think of a man like Martin Luther. He and the people of his day also lived in darkness and the shadow of death. Then one day while studying God’s word, Romans 1:17 came to him; “For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’” Martin Luther confessed once he received these words by faith, the gates of paradise opened for him. At one time this man was afraid of his own shadow. Later after he received God’s word he was not even afraid of the emperor and councils of his day. On April 16, 1521 he stood before the Emperor twice and was ordered to recant his teachings. He responded with these famous words: “Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other-my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen”
From these men we learn how to overcome our fears. We must personally receive God’s word through bible study. If we let go of God’s word fear immediately fills its place. This is what happened to King Saul. He rejected the word of God. God’s spirit left him and he became filled with an evil spirit. Evil spirits haunted his life with fear and hatred. Only by the word of God can we overcome our fear. We must come to bible study and struggle to accept even one word of God. When we do, the spirit of fear will disappear from our hearts.
We learn last week this is how Shepherds Tommy Pham and David Park overcame their many fears to attend the CIS Summer bible conference held in Moscow. When Tommy was asked to attend the CIS Summer bible Conference he had a balance of 0 dollar in his bank account. Even to travel to New York City one needs money, how much more to travel to the other side of the earth. To make matters worse Tommy’s car suddenly broke down. He had no wheels to travel to get a visa. Then there was the fear David Park had to face-study for his MCAT and take it before he goes. Both these young men overcame their fears by faith in God’s Word. We saw from their PowerPoint presentation last week God’s word one by one helped them overcome every obstacle so both these young men could serve the CIS conference as prayer servants.
Part 2 All mankind will see God’s salvation (3-14)
Look at verse 3: “He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin.” John acquired his name because he preached people should repent for the forgiveness of sins. Everyone sins. Our Bible teaches all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We all need to have our sins forgiven. Notice however John preached repentance for the forgiveness of sins. God did not give him permits to hand out which read “You are permitted to keep on sinning and I’ll still forgive you.” God used a man like John the Baptist to tell us we must repent of our sins, and then he will forgive us.
What then are the sins John the Baptist preached should be repented from? Let us read verses 4-6. John’s ministry fulfilled these prophetic verses found in Isaiah 40: 3-5. His mission was to help all mankind see God’s salvation. Jesus Christ is our salvation. As we know there are many nice roads that lead to Niagara Falls. Because of these roads some of us in UBF have seen these great falls a number of times. In a similar way God had to make John into an expert, one man spiritual transportation construction crew. John’s message of repentance helped people overcome obstacles so they could see God’s salvation. Let us read in verses 4-6 the obstacles John had to help people overcome, so they could see God’s salvation. The first obstruction mentioned was valleys. Valleys represent those who are depressed and full of complaints. John helped these people repent by helping them to be thankful. In the final days of my father’s life, he could not talk, breath, sip water, much less move around. I realized I can do all these. Right now I have so much to be thankful for. If my complaining or depress spirit blinds me to Jesus I must repent by thanking God for all he gives me and allows me to do right now.
Next “every mountain and hill must be made low.” These mountain and hills represent pride that blinds people to Jesus. In the loud, dirty world of road construction mountains and hills are cleared out of the way through using powerful explosives like dynamite. In 2 Chron. 26:16 we find a King named Uzziah whom the Lord blessed to become very powerful. This power caused him to build a mountain of pride within himself. The Bible says: ‘But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall.” God used the dynamite of leprosy to blow away his pride. Pride may be the worst of all sins. The Bible teaches: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” I can’t think of anything more stupid for me to do than to oppose God Almighty. Yet this is exactly what I am doing when I have a proud mind and spirit. There is no question our own pride can become our worst enemy. We should repent from it at all cost so we will not allow it to blind us to Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 5:5 shows us how to proactively overcome our pride. “Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothes yourselves with humility toward one another.”
The last obstructions mention were crooked and rough roads. These obstructions represent the acts of the sinful nature. Apostle Paul describes it this way in Galatians 5:19-21: “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the like. I warn you as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Last week Metzerott road in front of our church had to be repaved because all the pot holds that had turned it into a very rough, unsafe road. Now it is very smooth and safe. Like wise I realize throughout my life my sinful nature will make my walk with Christ crooked and rough. It is easy to justify- It doesn’t matter. No one knows and I can still see Christ. However Paul's words teaches those who live by their sinful nature cannot inherit the kingdom of God. I must daily perform spiritual repaving by repenting of my acts of the sinful nature so my walk with Christ is not crooked but smooth, joyful and full of God’s peace.
Luke helped us to see what kind of ministry to expect from John the Baptist. Next he shows us a day in the ministry of John the Baptist. Look at verse 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?” I just return from a UBF staff conference in NY. During the staff conference we discussed how to make our bible ministry more attractive to the postmodern generation. We were taught we should be real. We should listen patiently, accept people as they are and use visual and audio imagery as David and Tommy so expertly did last week. I can tell you very assuredly at no time was it mentioned we should try using John Baptist technique of telling people coming to see us: “You brood of vipers. Who has warned you to flee the coming wrath?” Nevertheless for the truth seekers John’s words: “You brood of vipers” are actually dripping with the grace of God. Apostle Paul, the apostle of grace called himself a poisonous viper in Romans 3:13. In fact when we read Paul’s writing in places like 1Tim 1:15 he makes it real about himself by declaring he is the worst sinner. Paul gladly accepted the title of viper and worst sinner just so he could accept the amazing grace of God. God’s grace is only accepted by terrible sinners. Self righteous people have no use for God’s grace. My only hope for salvation is found in the good news Jesus Christ God’s son died for my sins and three days later God raised him from the dead. This good news and this alone is the only life raft I’ll be clinging to when God’s wrath comes.
As we continue to observe John the Baptist it seems his words become even harsher, more threatening. Look at verse 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.” How do these words make you feel? Do they scare you? Or do they cause you to say: “WHATEVER:” Actually the very next verse shows us what we should do with these words of John. Let us read verse 10: “What should we do then?” This crowd that came to John was very humble people. When John told them to produce fruits of repentance they humbly ask him; “What should we do then?” Isn’t this a great and reasonable response? They didn’t rebel. Nor did they keep their mouths shut in fear. Humbly and courageously this crowd asks John a very reasonable question: “What should we do to produce fruits of repentance? How precious these people were in the eyes of God. They were humble people, courageous people and reasonable people who wanted no more than produce fruits in keeping with repentance.
First John shows something all people could do to prove they have produced fruit. Let us read verse 11; “The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.” The key action word is share. When we practice sharing then everyday we can produce fruit in keeping with repentance. I remember when I went to Chicago to get married. Mary and I had to travel all over Chicago to make arrangements such as pick up a wedding license. She did not have a car. Neither did I. But Shepherd Kevin Albright very graciously volunteered to share his car with us for that week. His sharing helped us get married. His sharing also produced delicious and good fruit in God’s sight.
Next we find a group of tax collectors ask John in verse 12: “Teacher what should we do?” Anyone who works hard for a living always finds it hard to reconcile that at least 1/3 of one’s pay check is used up immediately on taxes. It was worse for the Jews in John’s day. They had these tax collectors that not only collected the amount Rome demanded, they would collect even more so they could skim this extra amount off for themselves. Now we would think John would tell these tax collectors “You must stop collecting taxes”. This is not what he tells them to do. Instead he tells them in verse 13: “Don’t collect any more than you are required to.” The fruit John gave these men to produce was honesty before God and man on the job. When we are honest before God and man on the job we produce fruit in keeping with repentance. The point of life is not to lay aside 10,000 extra dollars for an emergency. The job God is looking for us to produce everyday is to love him and to love our neighbors like ourselves.
The last group of people to ask John was soldiers. Look at verse 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.” Again notice John did not tell these soldiers they should stop soldiering as proof of repentance. However he did tell them not to extort money. Extorting money is a common practice among soldiers and police found the world over. Shep. David Park told our fellowship when he was in Russia a few weeks ago, he was a passenger in a car driven by a Korean Missionary. The Russian police noticed they were foreigners. They ordered their car to stop. Then they began looking and re-looking for a long time through their passports. It became obvious they were looking to be paid a bribe or as John puts it to extort money from them. The Korean Missionary offered them 10 dollars in American money and they were let go. John also told these soldiers don’t accuse people falsely. People in authority are given authority to accuse people. Nothing is wrong with excising the authority to accuse people if they are really guilty. However people in authority must remember they are under God’s authority. God will hold them accountable for all abuses of authority if they do not repent. God wants people who are placed in authority to produce fruits in keeping with repentance by treating all kinds of people justly and fairly.
Lastly John tells them to be content with their pay. A lack of being content with what we have is a major cause for being selfish, greedy and unfair. Apostle Paul shared in 1Tim 6:6: “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” It is interesting Paul writes godliness with contentment is actually great gain. He points out the fact that we can take nothing with us when we leave this life proves the truth godliness with contentment is great gain.
John the Baptist was a very tough man. He had to be because it is a very difficult mission to help others to repent. As for us we must remember a life of repentance enables us to keep our eyes on Jesus our eternal salvation. Moreover we must remember repentance is not just a matter of not doing something. It also is a matter of producing fruits that prove we have repented. Everyday that God allows us to live in his creation he will allow us to prove our repentance. Let us pray God may help each of us prove our repentance by producing fruit in keeping with repentance.