Luke Chapter 3
As we start day 3 of our Advent Challenge, we are firmly set in a very specific period of history, both Roman and Hebrew. Chapter 3 begins with the ministry of John the Baptiser. He was tasked by God to prepare the way for the coming Messiah. He preaches about repentance, and draws crowds from all over the region, and from all cultural backgrounds – rich and poor, tax collectors, soldiers and he even preached against the royal family, which ended with him being imprisoned.
Into this ministry comes Jesus, being baptised by John, and confirmed by the presence of the Holy Spirit in the form like a dove, and announced by the voice of God from Heaven. What a sublime picture of the Trinity – three Persons acting together in perfect harmony. As John’s ministry is fulfilled, what a reward he has been granted here – being presented the full deity of God in one moment. John doesn’t give up and retire from ministry, but continues to preach for the people to repent, both to the ordinary folk and the privileged.
Jesus’ genealogy is listed through his father’s (Joseph’s) lineage. Both Matthew and Luke agree that Jesus is related to both David and Abraham on both sides – but whereas Matthew finishes his genealogy at Abraham, showing that Jesus mission is for the Jewish people (Abraham’s descendants), Luke continues his family tree right back to Adam and God – showing that Jesus’ mission of salvation includes Abraham’s descendants, but is actually universal in nature.
As we start day 3 of our Advent Challenge, we are firmly set in a very specific period of history, both Roman and Hebrew. Chapter 3 begins with the ministry of John the Baptiser. He was tasked by God to prepare the way for the coming Messiah. He preaches about repentance, and draws crowds from all over the region, and from all cultural backgrounds – rich and poor, tax collectors, soldiers and he even preached against the royal family, which ended with him being imprisoned.
Into this ministry comes Jesus, being baptised by John, and confirmed by the presence of the Holy Spirit in the form like a dove, and announced by the voice of God from Heaven. What a sublime picture of the Trinity – three Persons acting together in perfect harmony. As John’s ministry is fulfilled, what a reward he has been granted here – being presented the full deity of God in one moment. John doesn’t give up and retire from ministry, but continues to preach for the people to repent, both to the ordinary folk and the privileged.
Jesus’ genealogy is listed through his father’s (Joseph’s) lineage. Both Matthew and Luke agree that Jesus is related to both David and Abraham on both sides – but whereas Matthew finishes his genealogy at Abraham, showing that Jesus mission is for the Jewish people (Abraham’s descendants), Luke continues his family tree right back to Adam and God – showing that Jesus’ mission of salvation includes Abraham’s descendants, but is actually universal in nature.
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