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Luke 1-3
The Perfect Man
Psalm 119:89-96 The Preserved and Preserving Word
89.LAMED “ Yahweh, your word is settled in heaven forever.90.Your faithfulness is to all generations. You have established the earth, and it remains.91.Your laws remain to this day, for all things serve you.92.Unless your law had been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.93.I will never forget your precepts, for with them, you have revived me.94.I am yours. Save me, for I have sought your precepts.95.The wicked have waited for me, to destroy me. I will consider your statutes.96.I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commands are boundless."Observation
119:89-96.The psalmist is in danger of perishing because of affliction by the wicked. However, his delight, and meditation is in God's eternal words, and they revive him, as he waits for God's faithful deliverance/salvation. Since God's word teaches that all things are God's, for His service, the psalmist, who is God's, is able to have hope and confidence in God delivering His servant.
Application
God's eternal words aren't going to be destroyed, nor are His servants who delight in them.
Prayer
My God, I am Your servant, who delights in You and Your eternal words; please preserve and protect me, so I can serve You all my days. Thanks. Amen.
Proverbs 28:10-11 Rich and Poor
10.“Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, he himself will be cast into the pit; but the blameless will inherit good.11.The rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor who has understanding sees through him.“Observations
28:10.Those who do the devils work in causing upright folks to go astray will themselves suffer evil consequences, but the blameless will inherit good as a reward.
28:11.
Someone worse than a fool is one who is wise in their own eyes (Pr 26:12). No one can tell them anything, a trait of the arrogant rich. The poor who fears God (Pr 1:2; 2:5) has the insight to see their folly, and is the better man.
Application
Riches can be a hindrance to enduring blessing if we are not teachable.
Prayer
God, may I not be led nor lead others astray, but may I be teachable and blameless, controlled by Your wisdom. Amen.
Luke 1-3 The Perfect Man
The early church attributed the authorship of Luke and Acts, comprising almost 28% of the NT (more than Paul), to Paul's “dear friend, Luke, the doctor” (Col 4:14 NIV). From Acts 16 onward, the author writes in the plural, suggesting that he was a participant in the events, a medical missionary following in the steps of the Great Physician. Tradition (with some NT basis), considers Luke to be a Greek (a Syrian from Antioch). He wrote both this book and Acts to a Roman official, Theophilus (friend of God). See comments under 1:1-4.
In contrast to Matthew, who wrote to Jewish disciples, and Mark, who wrote to Roman disciples, Luke writes to a Greek audience, to present Jesus as the Perfect Man (an ideal well established in classical Greek philosophy), who, as the Son of Man, comes to seek and save what is lost. Luke shows his readers how to follow Jesus in living righteously in expectation of His return and rule.
Luke 1 Righteous Saints Delighted and Disciplined
1.Since many have undertaken to set in order a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us,2.even as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word delivered them to us,3.it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus;4.that you might know the certainty concerning the things in which you were instructed.5.There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the priestly division of Abijah. He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.6.They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.7.But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both were well advanced in years.8.Now it happened, while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his division,9.according to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to enter into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.10.The whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense.11.An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.12.Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.13.But the angel said to him, "Don’t be afraid, Zacharias, because your request has been heard, and your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.14.You will have joy and gladness; and many will rejoice at his birth.15.For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.16.He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord, their God.17.He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to return the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."18.Zacharias said to the angel, "How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years."19.The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news/gospel.20.Behold, you will be silent and not able to speak, until the day that these things will happen, because you didn’t believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time."21.The people were waiting for Zacharias, and they marveled that he delayed in the temple.22.When he came out, he could not speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple. He continued making signs to them, and remained mute.23.It happened, when the days of his service were fulfilled, he departed to his house.24.After these days Elizabeth, his wife, conceived, and she hid herself five months, saying,25."Thus has the Lord done to me in the days in which he looked at me, to take away my reproach among men."26.Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,27.to a virgin pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.28.Having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, you highly favored one! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women!"29.But when she saw him, she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered what kind of salutation this might be.30.The angel said to her, "Don’t be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.31.Behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and will call his name ‘Jesus.’32.He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David,33.and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end to his Kingdom."34.Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, seeing I am a virgin?"35.The angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore also the holy one who is born from you will be called the Son of God.36.Behold, Elizabeth, your relative, also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.37.For everything spoken by God is possible."38.Mary said, "Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it to me according to your word." The angel departed from her.39.Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah,40.and entered into the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.41.It happened, when Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, that the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.42.She called out with a loud voice, and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!43.Why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?44.For behold, when the voice of your greeting came into my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy!45.Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord!"46.Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord.47.My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior,48.for he has looked at the humble state of his handmaid. For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed.49.For he who is mighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name.50.His mercy/hesed is for generations of generations on those who fear him.51.He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.52.He has put down princes from their thrones. And has exalted the lowly.53.He has filled the hungry with good things. He has sent the rich away empty.54.He has given help to Israel, his servant, that he might remember mercy/hesed,55.As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his seed forever."56.Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her house.57.Now the time that Elizabeth should give birth was fulfilled, and she brought forth a son.58.Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her, and they rejoiced with her.59.It happened on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of the father.60.His mother answered, "Not so; but he will be called John."61.They said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name."62.They made signs to his father, what he would have him called.63.He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, "His name is John." They all marveled.64.His mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue freed, and he spoke, blessing God.65.Fear came on all who lived around them, and all these sayings were talked about throughout all the hill country of Judea.66.All who heard them laid them up in their heart, saying, "What then will this child be?" The hand of the Lord was with him.67.His father, Zacharias, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying,68."Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and worked redemption for his people;69.and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David70.(as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets who have been from of old),71.salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us;72.to show mercy towards our fathers, to remember his holy covenant,73.the oath which he spoke to Abraham, our father,74.to grant to us that we, being delivered/saved out of the hand of our enemies, should serve him without fear,75.In holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life.76.And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways,77.to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the remission of their sins,78.because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the dawn from on high will visit us,79.to shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death; to guide our feet into the way of peace."80.The child was growing, and becoming strong in spirit, and was in the desert until the day of his public appearance to Israel.Observations
1:1-4.Luke states His purpose up front: to provide an orderly and accurate account so that recipients/disciples would have confidence and conviction concerning the things about which they were instructed. See introduction above for elaboration. Theophilus was instructed as a disciple (katecheo Strongs #2727, a word used for teaching disciples, from which we get the word catechism), and Luke is deepening his roots in the truth. Disciples move from Convinced to Committed on the basis of conviction (ie, there is no other possible explanation for all the facts, therefore this is truth, and I will walk in it).
1:5-25.
Luke neatly summarizes OT righteousness, and states that it is possible: walking blamelessly (as in wholeheartedly obeying) all that God commanded (doing what is right in His sight). Anyone who ignores this reality takes truth out of context, distorting it, and thus is a false teacher. Despite their being blessable, they weren't being blessed with fertility, echoing Abraham and Sarah. By lot (the providence of God), Zacharias was selected to burn incense, a once in a lifetime opportunity (if that). He used the opportunity to pray for his needs, and God answered, promising a son who would be great, and filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb (when does life begin? 1:41). The Holy Spirit was given to empower people to special service, and John would function as the promised Elijah (Mal 4:4-6), returning people from foolish disobedience to the wisdom of the righteous, thus making ready a people so they would be built for receiving the Lord (making them blessable -Isa 40:10). Apart from the references to John, this word “prepare” is used of building arks, tabernacles, and houses. John was tasked with returning people back to obedience so the Messiah could bless them.
Note the use of “gospel/good news” in verse 19; the slowness of righteous Zacharias to believe the gospel (doubt and disbelief) resulted in temporary discipline until the promise was fulfilled. Zacharias would have been unable to bless the people with Numbers 6:24-26 (according to the Mishnah). This is a snapshot of a major message in both testaments: obedient, wholehearted faith based upon God's revelation results in blessing, while doubt and disbelief result in temporary discipline (not permanent death). Elizabeth gives glory to God for showing her favor/blessing.
1:26-28.
Half a year later, Gabriel goes to Nazareth to say “Hail, Mary” (rejoice). He tells her that she has been favored (perfect tense) and blessed by God and continues to be so. (Here's another righteousness OT saint.) The angel announces the conception and birth of the Son of the God, who will sit on the throne of His human father, David (through the line of Joseph). Mary is puzzled, since she's still a virgin, but the angel explains things. This is not the doubt of Zacharias, but a wondering of how it would happen. Mary readily submits herself to the revealed word of God, (in contrast to Zacharias).
1:39-56.
Mary goes to visit Elizabeth who gets filled with the Holy Spirit and repeats the angel's blessing (along with two others) and confirms that Mary's baby would indeed be The Lord. Elizabeth also indicates that Mary had a response of faith to God's revelation. Mary's Magnificat (Latin for “exalt/magnify”) shows her excellent grasp of the OT (alluding to it, by some counts, a dozen times) and parallel's Hannah's psalm of thanksgiving (1Samuel 2).
She starts by praising God her Savior who does not forget, but exalts the lowly, both herself and Israel, according to His mercy/hesed (Ps 103:17; Ex 20:6 used hesed which the LXX, the Greek version of the OT, translates “mercy”). Her praise ends with tying in Jesus' birth to the promises God made to Abraham (Gen 12), of blessing all the world through him.
1:57-80.
Zacharias' obedience results in deliverance from his discipline, and he blesses God. (Previously he had been unable to bless the people.) Again “mercy” is shown to be hesed, covenantal loyalty, remembering and fulfilling covenantal obligations, as verse 72 demonstrates. Zacharias' praise reveals the expectation of both a political Savior (salvation/deliverance from enemies), a spiritual Savior (remission/sending back/forgiveness of sin), and a sanctifying Savior (guide feet into way of peace/blessing). Note the three aspects of salvation: justification-forgiveness; sanctification-holiness; glorification-restoration to glory/blessing noted in the first post on Matthew.
Application
Righteous believers are blessed by embracing revealed truth, while those who doubt and demur are disciplined. The disobedient need to turn back to God to be blessed.
Prayer
God, thanks for working within a verifiable history to bring about the fulfillment of Your promises to not only Your people, but the whole world. May I be quick to believe and embrace all You have promised. Amen.
Luke 2 Birth and Growth
1.Now it happened in those days, that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.2.This was the first census made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.3.All went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city.4.Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David;5.to enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant.6.It happened, while they were there, that the day had come that she should give birth.7.She brought forth her firstborn son, and she wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.8.There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.9.Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.10.The angel said to them, "Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.11.For there is born to you, this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.12.This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough."13.Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts praising God, and saying,14."Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, among those with whom He is pleased (NET)."15.It happened, when the angels went away from them into the sky, that the shepherds said one to another, "Let’s go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us."16.They came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough.17.When they saw it, they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child.18.All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds.19.But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart.20.The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them.21.When eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.22.When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord23.(as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord"),24.and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, "A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."25.Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation/comfort of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.26.It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.27.He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law,28.then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,29."Now you are releasing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace;30.for my eyes have seen your salvation,31.which you have prepared before the face of all peoples;32.a light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel."33.Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him,34.and Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against.35.Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."36.There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity,37.and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn’t depart from the temple, worshiping with fastings and petitions night and day.38.Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.39.When they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.40.The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.41.His parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover.42.When he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast,43.and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother didn’t know it,44.but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey, and they looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances.45.When they didn’t find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him.46.It happened after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them, and asking them questions.47.All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.48.When they saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I were anxiously looking for you."49.He said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?"50.They didn’t understand the saying which he spoke to them.51.And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth. He was subject to them, and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.52.And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.Observations
2:1-20.The birth of Jesus and account of the angels and shepherds need no comment, but the angelic chorus does. The peace is a Messianic promise and blessing given to those with whom God is pleased. It is on all the earth, not just Judea, and it is for all men, not just Jews. The KJV's “good will to men” misses the point and the thrust of the preposition “en” which usually means in or among, matching the meaning “in or among the highest” in the first half of the verse. The final word in Greek is “good pleasure” (Strongs #2107, in some texts a genitive and others a dative) is almost always used in the NT of what is good or pleasing in God's sight. Most modern translations follow that above, having the genitive modify “men” indicating a subclass, who get the peace. The concept of God giving the covenantal blessing of peace to those with whom He is pleased, is much more consistent with the rest of Scripture, than a general sloshing about hale and hearty merriment. See under Digging Deeper for more.
2:21-40.
Following the law regarding circumcision, purification, and redeeming the firstborn (Ex 13; Lev 12:6; Num 18:15), Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the temple, where they encounter yet another righteous, Spirit-filled OT saint, named Simeon. He was eagerly expecting the Messianic kingdom promised in the OT (here called the consolation or comfort, when God restored Israel's fortunes - Dt 30:5; Jer 30:3,18) God had promised him, apparently as a blessing for his service (note the Master-servant terminology) that he wouldn't see death until he saw the Christ/Messiah. “In the Spirit” as in being led, he came to the temple in time to hold the Messiah, and prophesy. He quotes, Isa 49:6 yes, he says, "It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give you for a light to the nations, that you may be my salvation to the end of the earth." again affirming the universality of the Messiah. Simeon also foretells that some would accept and some reject Him, in Israel, and that He would be the revealer of the thoughts and intents of people's hearts (cf Heb 4:12-13). Ana, a prophetess, over a hundred years old, hobbled over and spoke of Him to all who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem (like Simeon). Luke again mentions the righteousness of Mary and Joseph and the growth of Jesus (like John).
2:41.
This is the only glimpse into Jesus' childhood, one year shy of when he would customarily embrace the law as His own. Luke highlights Jesus' wisdom, dedication to the Father's purpose (taking precedence over earthly loyalties), and His submission to human authority, matching the mention of His parent's righteousness. Jesus continues to grow intellectually, physically, and spiritually, gaining favor in the sight of God and man. These are good spheres for parents to be concerned about today. Note that Jesus developed as a normal human, but was conscious of His special role and relationship with God.
Application
Looking and living for the future fulfillment of the Father's will, and doing what is already clearly revealed to do in the present are marks of the righteous, who grow in God's favor.
Prayer
God, like the saints of old, may I be living in righteous expectation of Your promised kingdom, and be faithfully telling others about it. Amen.
Luke 3 Repent or Regret
1.Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,2.in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness.3.He came into all the region around the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for remission of sins.4.As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight.5.Every valley will be filled. Every mountain and hill will be brought low. The crooked will become straight, and the rough ways smooth.6.All flesh will see God’s salvation.’"7.He said therefore to the multitudes who went out to be baptized by him, "You generation of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?8.Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and don’t begin to say among yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father’; for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones9.Even now the ax also lies at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doesn’t bring forth good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire."10.The multitudes asked him, "What then must we do?"11.He answered them, "He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. He who has food, let him do likewise."12.Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, "Teacher, what must we do?"13.He said to them, "Collect no more than that which is appointed to you."14.Soldiers also asked him, saying, "What about us? What must we do?" He said to them, "Extort from no one by violence, neither accuse anyone wrongfully. Be content with your wages."15.As the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he was the Christ,16.John answered them all, "I indeed baptize you with water, but he comes who is mightier than I, the latchet of whose sandals I am not worthy to loosen. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire,17.whose winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor, and will gather the wheat into his barn; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."18.Then with many other exhortations he preached good news/gospel to the people,19.but Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things which Herod had done,20.added this also to them all, that he shut up John in prison.21.Now it happened, when all the people were baptized, Jesus also had been baptized, and was praying. The sky was opened,22.and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form as a dove on him; and a voice came out of the sky, saying "You are my beloved Son. In you I am well pleased."23.Jesus himself, when he began to teach, was about thirty years old, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli,24.the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph,25.the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai,26.the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Joseph, the son of Judah,27.the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri,28.the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmodam, the son of Er,29.the son of Jose, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi,30.the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonan, the son of Eliakim,31.the son of Melea, the son of Menan, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David,32.the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon,33.the son of Amminadab, the son of Aram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah,34.the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,35.the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah,36.the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,37.the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan,38.the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.
Observations
3:1-14.Luke dates the beginning of John's ministry, when the word of God came to him, just like the OT prophets. John was in the wilderness, and identifies himself as the messenger of Isaiah 40:1-10 telling people to repent (literally=change mind), for (eis = with a view to; see note in OLB Strongs #1519), the forgiveness (literally=sending away) of sins (missing the mark). This repentance was accompanied by baptism, which is why John ministered around the Jordan river. Baptism has a number of meanings, the most common OT understanding would be a symbol of cleansing, as a leper would wash away defilement. The repentance was in light of the Lord coming to bring God's salvation (including judging Isa 40:10) therefore they needed to be ready to meet the Lord. See comments on Matthew 3 for more about the OT context, from which this passage cannot be divorced. In tender compassion, John gently asks who warned those coming to him to flee from the coming wrath. The term of endearment was “you generation of vipers”; I guess eating locusts makes one cranky, but then, it was the same appellation Jesus used in Matthew 12:34 and 23:33). John exhorts them to produce fruit worth/befitting their new mindset, otherwise they would be chopped and tossed into the fire (garbage dump of Gehenna, but we don't know that yet; however the original audience would have understood burning debris that weren't profitable). John warns them that trusting in their Jewish ancestry, would do them no good when the Messiah comes to set up His kingdom. God didn't need them, He could make sons of Abraham from rocks. They needed to be worthy, as demonstrated by fruit, things they did. Unfruitful trees were also called firewood. So they asked what they should do. Look at the list, and then the common thread, in light of the context. Think about it before you proceed. No peaking. OK, what is the common thread? Trust that Jesus died for their sins? Wrong! How about trust that God would forgive their sins? Wrong again! Give up? How about, stop living as if this world is all there is, and start living as if there is a kingdom coming where God rewards righteousness, like loving your neighbor and dealing justly? Bingo!!! One last question: Are you living as if this world is all there is, or do you believe what God has revealed about the Messiah ? This is the gospel/good news at this stage of Jesus' ministry (see 3:18).
3:15-23.
People were beginning to wonder if John was the Messiah, but he said he just baptized (immersed) in water, but a far greater One would come who would baptize/immerse in the Holy Spirit (Joel 2) and fire (judgment). The fruitful wheat would be gathered safely into his barn (Mt 13:30), and the chaff would be burned. There is no indication that this is eternal destiny, and evidence to the contrary in upcoming chapters. Herod adds to his sins by imprisoning John. But before that, Jesus comes to get baptized (see comments on Matthew 3), and God indicates that not only is He His Son, but the One on whom His favor rests.
3:24-38.
Luke traces Jesus' genealogy back to Adam, the Son of God, showing He was representative of all humans, not just the Jews. Matthew traced the line forward from Abraham (the progenitor of the Jews) to David, to Joseph, showing Jesus' legal right to the Davidic throne (which was passed through the father). Some think that Luke traces the line back through Mary, but others propose that there is a difference between the physical bloodline and legal (right to rule) descendents to account for the differences with Matthew's genealogy. In any event, Jesus was a real human, the Son of Man and Son of God.
Application
Are you living as this world is all there is, or are you interacting with others in such a way that God will be pleased with the fruit of your life and reward you? It's never too late to repent and do the right thing.
Prayer
Lord, may I live in a manner consistent with my belief in Your revealed truth, and may You be pleased with me, so You can bless, rather than judge me when You return. Amen.
Digging Deeper
For textual variant geeks only: In Luke 2:14, the KJV's “good will to men” misses the point and the thrust of the preposition “en” which usually means in or among, matching the meaning “in or among the highest” in the first half of the verse (although it can be used as "eis" (to, towards) after certain verbs, but not here). The final word in Greek is “good pleasure” (Strongs #2107, in some texts types (MT/BYZ) a genitive, and in others (Alexandrian), a dative) is almost always used in the NT of what is good or pleasing in God's sight. Most modern translations (NIV, NASB) reflect the concept in this post, having the genitive modify “men” indicating a subclass, who get the peace.
The MT/BYZ dative could be followed (I am a MT fan), giving something like "among men, (to whom there is) favor" which is comparable to the modern translations. The concept of God giving the covenantal blessing of peace to those with whom He is pleased, is much more consistent with the rest of Scripture, than a general sloshing about out hale and hearty merriment.
God in a nutshell: God keeps His promises and works supernaturally and through human agents to bring about His promised will. He empowers people with His Spirit to do His will in revealing truth and salvation to others. He is the God of the whole earth, not just the Jews.
Build-a-Jesus: Jesus is the supernatural Son of Man and Son of God, who came to earth to fulfill the promises of the Davidic Covenant, and reign over Israel on the throne of David. He is also the light for the Gentiles, to bring them into a relationship with God. He will reveal the hearts (values/will) of men as some accept and some reject Him. He will immerse people in the blessing of the Holy Spirit, and the judgment of fire.
Us in a nutshell: We can be righteous if we do what God has revealed. Then we will be blessed. If we don't believe and obey, we will be appropriately disciplined. We have the ability to respond to truth, and change our mind, so we can do what God wants.