Luke Part 1 Week 13
- Harold Berry
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Day 1
RECEIVE
Luke 3:2-3
2 Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests. At this time a message from God came to John son of Zechariah, who was living in the wilderness. 3 Then John went from place to place on both sides of the Jordan River, preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven.
Annas and Caiaphas will appear again in the gospel story. The “John” referred to is not the apostle John, but the one known as John the Baptist. He was living in an uninhabited area and proclaimed God’s message on both sides of the Jordan River. To “repent” is to change one’s mind. Notice it is not enough just to change one’s mind; the person must also turn to God to be forgiven.
REFLECT
Think of the time when you changed your mind about being a sinner. Did you trust in Jesus as your Savior at that time?
RESPOND
Visit with a friend about what is included about “repenting” or “changing one’s mind” in preparation for trusting in Jesus as Savior. Consider Judas who changed his mind about betraying Jesus (see Matthew 27:3-4). Even though he “repented” of what he had done, he did not trust in Jesus as Savior. See Matthew 7:22-23 for what Jesus will say to such people.
Day 2
RECEIVE
Luke 3:4-6
4 Isaiah had spoken of John when he said, “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him! 5 The valleys will be filled, and the mountains and hills made level. The curves will be straightened, and the rough places made smooth. 6 And then all people will see the salvation sent from God.’”
Here John the Baptist referred to Isaiah 40:3-5. Isaiah was referring to Jehovah. This indicates Jesus was considered as the Jehovah of the Old Testament. God is a Trinity—Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God is one but exists in three equal persons.
REFLECT
Think about how John the Baptist used Isaiah’s comments about Jehovah to refer to Jesus.
RESPOND
Check the translations you and your friend use. Not all copies of the Bible follow the same rule, but many make LORD all capitals when the Scriptures refer to Jehovah, or sometimes referred to as Yahweh. Read Exodus 3:13-14 that records what God said to Moses when he asked for a name of the one sending him to lead his people out of Egypt.
Day 3
RECEIVE
Luke 3:7-9
7 When the crowds came to John for baptism, he said, “You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? 8 Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. 9 Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.”
John was preparing the people to receive Jesus when He would come. John wanted them to change their minds about themselves and their need of salvation. Some thought they were right with God because they were the descendants of Abraham. John told them they were trusting in the wrong things. John told them, “Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.”
REFLECT
Have you proved by the way you live that you have turned to God for salvation?
RESPOND
Visit with a friend about being sure others can tell from the way you live that you have trusted in Jesus for salvation. It has been asked, “If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”
Day 4
RECEIVE
Luke 3:10-11
10 The crowds asked, “What should we do?” 11 John replied, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.”
John was asked and told others what they should do to demonstrate their faith in God. Later when Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was, His reply is found in Matthew 22:37-40. The greatest was loving and serving God. The next was loving one’s neighbor. John the Baptist was now telling some Jews how to show they loved their neighbor.
REFLECT
Read Matthew 22:37-40 and ask yourself how you are doing with both commandments.
RESPOND
Talk with a friend about the things each of you has done this past week to show your love for God and your neighbor.
Day 5
RECEIVE
Luke 3:12-14
12 Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, “Teacher, what should we do?” 13 He replied, “Collect no more taxes than the government requires.” 14 “What should we do?” asked some soldiers. John replied, “Don’t extort money or make false accusations. And be content with your pay.”
Even corrupt tax collectors and soldiers wondered what they should do to show they loved their neighbor. Tax collectors often charged people more than they were required to. Soldiers were guilty of extorting money and slandering people, as well as complaining about their wages. If the tax collectors and soldiers would do as John told them to do, others would notice a change in their lives.
REFLECT
What significant change in your life has Jesus accomplished so it can be used as a testimony to others?
RESPOND
A changed life is one of the greatest testimonies of what Jesus has done for you. Think how you can express this difference in a short testimony, and then memorize your comments. This way when you have opportunity to share it with someone; you will not have to wonder what to say because you’ve already memorized it.
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