Luke 3

Tuesday,   January 12, 2015






Thinking of baptism, it isn't just "getting into the water" that cleanses you, it's the idea that you make a decision to change.   John called it "produce fruit in keeping with repentance".      Baptism implies that you are turning over control of your life to God, so that you will change.  (there is no permanent change without His involvement)   The Holy Spirit changes the way you act, the way you think, what you support and who your friends are.






Isaiah's prophecy says that the earth will be leveled.  But he isn't referring to a literal leveling of the earth.   He's talking about relationship.  It used to be difficult to be forgiven and to be obedient.  There were countless rules to follow, and very specific sacrifices that had to be made.   They could only be made at certain times, and by certain people.    It was really an "uphill battle" to stay pure before God.    But now the time was coming when the roadblocks would be removed.   In a short time, none of the sacrifices would be necessary.  Priests would be outdated, and the trek to the temple would be history.   On top of all this, no more listening to someone else read the Bible as your only exposure to it.    Now, the Holy Spirit would begin to teach each and every believer directly from God.    Truly, the road is becoming "smooth"!






I have always admired John.  I mean, Jesus said of him "among women born of men there isn't anyone greater than John"  (my translation).    What's not to love?    But after reading through the chapter this time I find myself thinking that being a prophet must have been a lonely job at times.    God had a special calling on John's life, but it came at a price.  I wonder how many friends John had?  I don't see a wife mentioned, either.   His message would have been difficult to hear, which doesn't bode well for the number of people who "hung out" with him.  I wonder if he even had a home...it sounds like he lived very simply.   I take away from this passage that God doesn't call us to a life of luxury or indulgence.  John had next to nothing, but is considered great by God.   He did what he was supposed to do...that's what made him great.    You and I can do the same thing!






On a completely different note:   I counted 75 generations from Adam to Jesus.  If each generation was 40 years, that would be 3,000 years.   However, we would be mistaken if we thought that the earth was 3,000 years old...because there were several hundred years between some of the earliest generations.    In fact Bishop James Ussher (17th century Irish priest) did extensive research and set the date of creation at 4,004 BC.  That would make the earth around 6,000 years old.    The genealogy that Mark provides simply helps make the case for a young earth, instead of one that is millions of years old.


praying that you have a great day,




PR