Luke 3:1-20
RTNT 2021. Today is the third day, our third gospel of introducing John the Baptist. Yesterday I commented how Mark introduced John the Baptist as “He appeared…”. Luke is quite different!! No more on that – see my first comment in the link below.
Initially John gives the people two directives: Bear fruit… (v. 8a) and don’t justify yourself as Abraham’s children (v. 8b). Then after a few verses he adds to his first directive. First the crowds ask and he tells them to share with those in need (v. 11). Then the politicians ask (see my second note in the link below) and he tells them not to act corruptly (v. 13). Then the military personnel ask and he warns them against the undue use of force/violence (v. 14). Written almost two thousand years ago, John the Baptist still has words for us today.
Verse 18 adds a bit of irony to John’s comments – ironic humor, actually. After he talks about burning chaff with unquenchable fire Luke writes, So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people. (v. 18) Unquenchable fire? Exhortations? Good news…??!! Yes, good news. The good news is back in verse 16: I baptize you with water, but He who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Good news, indeed!
See also: January 18 / Luke 3:1-18
I read that John talked first about repentance, turning to God in the water baptism. That’s what drew the crowds. Then he talked about bearing fruit worthy of repentance. Like faith and action in James, changed behavior.
What should we do? John is simple: share with others (to everybody, the crowds), do your work fairly (even tax collectors), and be content with your wages (army, police) presumably v. stealing, taking unlawfully. Notice that tax collectors and Roman soldiers were there, drawn to the message of repentance, but John didn’t tell them to quit their jobs, but to act fairly, justly in their work.