With historical and cultural detail and a reference to the prophet Isaiah, Luke introduces John the Baptist as the herald of a God who acts in continuity with the life of biblical Israel to touch history and the world through the person of Jesus, bringing a forgiveness that saves people from all the extremes to which life and sin might take them.

Preaching text: Luke 3:1-6

Bible for Worship is a weekly introduction to the scripture passage that is likely to be the basis for the sermon on the following weekend. It correlates with the Revised Common Lectionary as it is used at St. Paul. With Peter A. Pettit, teaching pastor.