In Luke 3 we learn how the prophet John prepares the way for God's Messiah. John's ministry is embedded in world history (vss. 1-3) and biblical promise (vss. 4-6). He calls people to repentance with water baptism being a sign of that repentance. He also gives a stern warning (vss. 7-9, 17). John is not after cheap success with a bunch of false converts whose hearts have not repented and truly turned to God. And then we found some surprising encouragement and good news in the genealogy that concludes Luke 3.