One Verse at a Time

This episode looks at Luke 3:23, “So Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years old. He was the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli.” Jesus’s genealogy goes all the way back to Adam, not just Abraham as in Matthew. Jesus is the only Savior not only for the Jews but also for the Gentiles. We praise God for such a Savior.

This episode looks at Luke 3:22, “and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my one dear Son; in you I take great delight.” Jesus comes as God’s Son (Ps. 2:7) to rule the nations and the Suffering Servant (Isa. 42:1) to bear the iniquities of God’s people. We praise God for the fulfillment of these expectations in Jesus.

This episode looks at Luke 3:21, “Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus also was baptized. And while he was praying, the heavens opened.” After 400 years of silence, Jesus’s baptism leads to the opening of the heavens. God has spoken through his Son, and Christ has opened up access for us to approach the throne of grace through faith in his work.

This episode looks at Luke 3:20, “Herod added this to them all: He locked up John in prison.” We should not be surprised at Herod’s wickedness, nor the wickedness of the world around us. Yet, we should continue proclaiming the truth, because God can save the wicked.

This episode looks at Luke 3:19, “But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and because of all the evil deeds he had done…” John speaks the truth to the crowds, and he speaks it to the king of his region. May God give us this same fortitude and courage.

This episode looks at Luke 3:18, “And in this way, with many other exhortations, John proclaimed good news to the people.” There is no good news without bad news, and we thank God for those who share both while always pointing us to Christ. May we follow that example.

This episode looks at Luke 3:17, “His winnowing fork is in his hand to clean out his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his storehouse, but the chaff he will burn up with inextinguishable fire.” Jesus’s work results in response — some positive, others negative. We need the Holy Spirit to work in us so that the former is true, and stays true, of us.

This episode looks at Luke 3:16, “John answered them all, “I baptize you with water, but one more powerful than I am is coming - I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” John knows who he is in relation to Christ—and he is humbled. May we similarly know who alone can transform by the power of the Holy Spirit, and would that cause us to view Jesus as even greater.

This episode looks at Luke 3:15, “While the people were filled with anticipation and they all wondered whether perhaps John could be the Christ.” Though we know today the answer to their wondering, we want to adopt a similar wondering at the world around us as it relates to God’s word, and we want to anticipate that he is up to something in fulfilling his promises.

This episode looks at Luke 3:14, “Then some soldiers also asked him, “And as for us—what should we do?” He told them, “Take money from no one by violence or by false accusation, and be content with your pay.” Money is what twists the soldier and tax collector into unjust acts, and money keeps the crowds from charitably giving to one another. May we be drawn out of clutching our money tightly so that we can show our repentance by rightly using our money.