Luke 3 reminds me of air-conditioning on a hot summer day. You know it is really humid when your glasses fog up after walking outside. The cause is not the temperature, but the sudden change. Subtle differences often go unnoticed, but dramatic contrasts are hard to miss. Today’s chapter is about contrasts. We begin “In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar”. We are given the names of the corrupt political and religious leaders, and then told, “The word of God came to John… in the wilderness”. He was a wild looking man, whose blunt words matched his distinctive actions; he stood out from all the other leaders. I’m sure he was not initially seen as a threat, since most lived in the city. John stayed out in the country “preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins”. John was calling the guilty to repent before judgment comes, but the powerful seldom change until after they are caught. Generally it is the innocent victim that feels the pain, not the wrong-doer. Understand that John’s role was “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, to prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him”. John was speaking to a Jewish audience that believed they were righteous by their birthright. They said, “We have Abraham as our father”, meaning, we are special and have no need for repentance. We seldom use the word “repentance” today; the sophisticated evolve and follow group-think. Friend, are you above repentance? John warned, “Every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire”.
On the other hand, the humble asked, ‘What should we do then?’” The question has been asked in splintered relationships for eons, “How can I prove to you that I have changed?” John tells them to demonstrate their transformation by their actions, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none”. This is not a requirement, it is an example. Just as the next statement to the tax collector, “Don’t collect any more than you are required to”; and the soldier, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely”. Compassion, integrity and honesty were just as uncommon then as today. John is saying do not be afraid to stand out from the crowd by your actions. Do you try to blend in?
Many were looking for the Promised One, with “all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah”. John was very clear, “I baptize you with water. But One who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire”. On our own any modifications we make are external, but the Spirit of God changes us from the inside. Be forewarned, that standing against corruption comes at a price. When John rebuked the Governor for taking his brother’s wife, “Herod… locked John up in prison”. Prior to that, Jesus came to John to be baptized. Why would the Sinless Man take part in the baptism for repentance? Much of what Jesus did was to provide a path for us to follow. His baptism boldly marked the start of His ministry, “And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with You I am well pleased’”. He would offer His own life as a symbol of forgiveness even for those that hated Him. Jesus died even for the unrepentant. Friend, have you been wronged by someone? May I suggest that holding on to that is only harming you? Even the Savior made a transition, “Jesus… was about thirty years old when He began His ministry”. My friend, please do not forget the Baptism of Grace which stands in contrast to the entire world. It is by the cross of Christ that you are forgiven every transgression. And this will really fog your glasses, but you can even forgive the unrepentant. “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Is it time for a dramatic change?