As we pick back up in the book of Luke, we are reintroduced to a now-grown-up John the Baptist. Once again, Luke makes it clear that the story he is telling is a real one, rooted in history. The person of John is real, and so is the message he proclaims: “baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” (vs.3). In doing this, he is preparing the way for Jesus, who has come to bring full and final forgiveness of sins for all who repent and believe in his name. The repentance that John preaches is one which is evidenced through action. John makes clear that real repentance requires not only a change of heart and mind but that it exhibits itself through a change in the way we live. As we preach this passage, we must call people to the same type of repentance. Also, like John, we are not Jesus. Jesus alone can judge, and Jesus alone can offer life.