The Forerunner. Luke 3:1-20

Introduction:

The birth of Christ into the world is one of the most pivotal moments in human history. Second to perhaps only his death and subsequent resurrection. The impact of Christ on the world can never be overstated. His coming impacted the world so greatly that we measure our calendars by him.

Because Christ coming was of such magnitude, his entrance into public ministry needed a forerunner. Someone who could run ahead of him to prepare the hearts of the people for his coming.

For Jesus, that man was actually his cousin; someone the people would call “John the Baptizer,” we know him better as “John the Baptist.”

Luke pinpoints the ministry of John and the arrival of Jesus public ministry by pinpointing the moment in history that God called John to the work of being Christ’s forerunner.

We learn that the call to John came in:

The fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar. Tiberius was the second second Roman Emperor (Augustus was the 1st). Tiberius reign began in A.D.14.

Pontius Pilate was governor over Judea. He was both a civil ruler and military commander. The unrest in Judea had become so bad that Rome removed a man (Archelaus) who was just a civil leader and brought in a military commander to squelch the chaos. Pilate held his position from A.D. 26-36.

Herod Antipas was tetrarch of Galilee (where Jesus would spend most of his ministry) and Perea. Tetrarch means a “ruler of the fourth part.” He was the son of Herod the Great and inherited his position when his father died in B.C.4 and reigned until A.D. 39.

Philip (the brother of Herod) (See v.19-20 & Matthew 14:1-12) was tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonitis. He was a reputable man and was known to be a fair and just ruler. Caesarea Philippi was built and named after him.

Lysanius was tetrarch of Abilene. We know nothing of importance about him, but Luke’s audience would have known who he was.

Anna and Caiaphas were both High Priests in Jerusalem. This shines much light on just how corrupt and political the high priesthood had become in the time of Jesus. There was never to be more than one High Priest at a time and it was supposed to be a position that was held for life and hereditary. But, with Roman rule, the high priesthood became a political power base. Rome used the position to help secure power over the Jewish people. Rome would see to it that only men who were friendly to Rome would be offered and given the position. Between B.C37-A.D. 26- 28 different men were installed and removed from the office by Rome. Annas held the position from A.D. 7-14 and was still the power behind the throne. Caiaphas was officially the High Priest in Rome’s eyes, but the people still looked to Annas. You see this at the end of Luke when Jesus is put on trial. He is taken to the house of Annas, though he is not the official High priest.

John 18:13 NKJV

13 And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year.

The mention of all of these historical figures allows us to pinpoint the beginning of John’s ministry to somewhere between A.D. 27-29. All of these names also give us a glimpse into the moral and political culture of the day. All of these men, Tiberius, Pilate, Herod, Philip, Lysanius, Annas, and Caiaphas evoke wickedness, intrigue, nepotism, and the degeneration in the society of that day.

It is against that backdrop of political and religious darkness that “the word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.” (The remote area in which he lived.)

Matthew tells us how John sort of strode onto the political and religous scene in Galilee:

Matthew 3:1 & 4(NKJV)

1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, ...

4 ...clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.

This morning in our time together there are four elements of John’s life in our text we will unpack in our time together this morning:

John’s Ministry. (v.3-6)

John’s Preaching. (v.7-18)

John’s Character. (v.19-20)

1.) John’s Ministry. (v.3-6)

Luke 3:3–6 NKJV

3 And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, 4 as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight. 5 Every valley shall be filled And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough ways smooth; 6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ ”

These verses tell us that John’s ministry consisted of preparing the hearts of the people for the coming of the Messiah (the Lord Jesus.) He did this by preaching a baptism of repentance and by prophetically telling the people to prepare because Messiah was coming.

A.) Baptism of Repentance (v.3)

The baptism offered by John was not the same as the christian baptism we celebrate today. Christian baptism symbolizes the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. None of that had happened yet so baptism, as we know it, wasn't a thing.

That being said, the Jews in John’s audience were no strangers to ritual baptism. While they themselves were never commanded in God’s law to be baptized, Jews did baptize Gentile converts to Judaism. So, these Jews who were baptized by John in the Jordan river as they confessed their sins were publicly acknowledging that they were no better than the Gentiles.

They were saying that their sins had separated them from a holy God and cut them off from receiving the blessings God had promised them as a people. For Jews to place themselves on the same level of Gentiles just didn't happen, which is a testimony to the power of John’s ministry.

This was a preparatory baptism that looked forward to the coming Messiah. Their being baptized by John didn't bring repentance and forgiveness for their sins, but was a sign that they had repented and been forgiven.

John called for people to repent (turn away from their sins) and the acceptance of His baptism was to show that they had done just that. There was no saving power in John’s baptism.

Josephus (Ancient Jewish Historian)- “He was a good man and had exhorted the Jews to lead righteous lives, to practice justice towards their fellows and piety towards God, and so doing to join in baptism. In his view this was a necessary preliminary if baptism was to be acceptable to God. They must not employ it to gain pardon for whatever sins they committed, but as a consecration of the body implying that the soul was already thoroughly cleansed by right behaviour.”

Acts 19:1-5 reinforces this as well.

Acts 19:1–5 NKJV

1 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples 2 he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Repentance never had been and never will be a human work that merits God’s forgiveness. Repentance, even in John’s day is the work of the Holy Spirt upon people.

John would preach, the Holy Spirit of God would convict, the people would believe and respond in repentance, then get baptized to show that repentance.

Saving faith and true repentance are always found hand in hand. Saved souls are repentant souls.

When a Jew took John’s baptism, he was saying he was open and ready to receive the Messiah when he came.

B.) Prophetically prepare. (4-6)

Luke quotes Isaiah 40:3-5 here and it tells us that John’s ministry and message was a fulfillment of prophecy. John went around telling people to get ready because the Messiah they had looked for and had been told about was soon coming.

This prophecy reflects the custom when a ruler was about to visit a city. The citizens would construct a smooth and broad road so that he could enter the city with the all the pomp and dignity he was due.

Isaiah’s prophecy was much grander than that though. The highway wasn't a grand entrance into a city but a thoroughfare through a mountainous wilderness. Isaiah saw mountains flattened and valleys filled in so that a super highway could be made ready for the King of Kings.

John wasn’t preaching about literal roads but the hearts of the people. He was crying out for the people to make ready to receive the Messiah.

His preaching stirred thousands of people to look for the Messiah. Many of the multitude who would follow and hear John went on to become followers of Christ.

2.) John’s preaching. (7-18)

John’s ministry was a ministry of repentance and preparation, but his peaching carried some very specific elements. To listen to a message form John was to be called into account for your sinful actions.

Vs. 7-18 give us a sample of a John the Baptist sermon.

A.) Condemnation and Judgement for sin. (v.7-9)

John truthfully told the people who they were. They weren’t good people who messed up they were a “Brood of vipers.” He was saying that they had allowed themselves to be poisoned with sinfulness and were poisoning others too. Their sinful behavior left them condemned in the eyes of God and His wrath was already come.

Romans 1:18 NKJV

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

Many in the crowds who went out to hear John preach believed they were acceptable to God merely because they were Jews by birth and had godly forefathers like Abraham. Others thought they were ok because they had undergone some religious ritual like circumcision. How they lived before God didn’t matter, because they were special and good people, even religious. God had to accept them on those reasons alone.

Sadly, most people in our world today are just as righteous.

God must accept me because:

Im a good person.

My good deeds out weigh my bad deeds

I’m an American

I’m a republican

I’m a democrat

I’m in the right race

My parents took us too church

I’m gay, trans, a woman, back, latin etc.

Proverbs 30:12 NKJV

12 There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, Yet is not washed from its filthiness.

He then illustrated his point by anthropomorphizing God as the divine woodsmen and they were the trees he was prepared to cut down. The trees that did not produce “good fruit” He was going to cut down and throw into the fire.

Revelation 21:8 NKJV

8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

He was saying those who’s lives do not exemplify their repentance and faith in the coming Messiah would be judged and cast into hell. Just saying you’re a believer does not make it so. Those who are truly His exemplify it with their lives.

Brennan Manning “The Ragamuffin Gospel. (As quoted by DC Talk “Jesus Freak”)

“The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and then walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.”

B.) True repentance and salvation produces a changed life. (v.9-14)

You can imagine the people being pricked to the heart and asking as they did in vs.10

“What shall we do then?”

In other words, how do we know that our repentance and faith is genuine? John’s answer is no different than it is for anyone today. Genuine salvation results in a changed life which is exhibited in changed behavior.

2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

To love and care for your neighbor by showing them mercy and unselfishness during their time of need. If they need a coat, give them two.

The tax collector were to stop extorting people and only collect what Rome required. To be fair and just in his dealings.

The soldiers were told not to intimidate (The grk word means not to extort money by force or threat of violence). Do not accuse or bring charges against anyone falsely. To not grumble and complain over their wages but be content with what they had.

John’s message demanded life change. It is no different today, when we believe the Gospel, we are changed and that change is outwardly demonstrated in our behavior toward our fellow man.

Galatians 5:22–23 NKJV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Philippians 1:9–11 NKJV

9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

James 3:17 NKJV

17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

C.) He pointed people to Jesus (v.15-18)

John was so unlike all of the other religious leaders of his day that the people who were following and listening to his sermons began asking if he was actually the Messiah.

John did what any spirit filed preacher should do and pointed them to the Messiah, the Lord Jesus.

1.) Jesus was “mightier” and and more “worthy” than John. (v.16)

John says that he isn't even worth to unloose the sandal from the Messiah’s feet.

This was the job of the lowest slave in a household. To unloose the sandals and wash the feet of all who would enter the house.

John says, I’m not even worthy to be called his lowest servant. He is far greater than I ever could be. John preached with power yes, but compared to the Messiah his preaching was weak.

2.) The baptism of Jesus was far greater.

John baptized with water as a picture of repentance but the Messiah would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.

a. Spirit.

John’s baptism showed a person was ready to receive the Messiah but Jesus would baptize people into the spirit.

Baptize- to immerse, dip, or place the person into something. In this case into the spirit of God, the Holy SPirit.

Friend, when we come to Christ, we are placed into Christ. When God looks at us, he no longer sees a sinful creatures He sees us through his son. We are covered by Christ.

b. Fire

Fire does several things that illustrate for us the work of Christ.

It illuminates, warms, melts, burns, purifies, and destroys.

The difference between baptism with water and baptism with fire is the difference between an outward work and an inward work. Water only washes the outside but fire purifies within.

3.) The Messiah knows whose repentance is genuine. (v.17)

John once again uses an illustration by comparing the Messiah (Jesus) to a farmer threshing wheat.

The winnowing fan is the Messiah’s power to pick up both the wheat and the chaff.

The floor is the earth which will be purged or cleansed of all chaff.

The wheat represents believers who truly repent and bring forth fruit. They will be gathered into His barn (His kingdom or the new heavens and earth).

The chaff represents those who only profess, who are counterfeit wheat. They lie on the floor (the earth) with the wheat, but they are not wheat. They shall be “burned with unquenchable fire.”

John was saying, in a sense, I can’t tell who comes to me for baptism is genuinely repentant. No doubt many were not. But Jesus (the Messiah) will be able to tell the difference. He knows who are his and who are not.

3.) John’s Character. (v.19-20)

It is one thing to preach in power rebuking sin when there are not many consequences for doing so. But, to preach in power when you could pay for with your life is something entirely different. John was not a phony. He didn't act one way ith one group of people and another around those of higher standing or government officials.

John preached against sin in the streets but he also preached against the sin going on in Herods palace. He openly and to his face rebuked Herod, the ruler of Judea for his immorality and excess. Particularly his sin of adultery.

History tells that Herod married the daughter of the king of the Nabataean Arabs, but, on a trip to Rome he stooped to visit his half-brother Philip and was profoundly attracted to his wife. So he seduced her and talked her into coming back to Judea with him. His own wife then fled back to her father fearing she would be killed. Herod then proceeded to divorce her and Mary his brothers wife.

On top of this Herod lived in extravagance always grasping for more power and more wealth. He built opulent sea ports and dedicated them to Caesar just hoping he’d be noticed and given the title of King.

He was a fleshly, prideful, lust filled and savagely cruel man.

And John stuck his finger in Herods face on many occasions telling him to repent of his sinful ways, which he never did.

ultimately, John’s preaching led to his arrest and eventual beheading.

John lived what he preached in every single way. He didn't just tell people how to lived, he lived as an example to them.

A modern PR consultant would have called him foolish. Jesus called him the “greatest man ever born”

Matthew 11:11 NKJV

11 “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Conclusion:

Who was the forerunner.

He was a man with a unique ministry but greatly used of God to preach repentance and preparation for the coming Messiah.

He preached the Gospel and pointed people to Jesus

Call people to Christ

He was a man who practiced and stood upon what he preached regardless of the consequences. He was faithful to preaching and standing upon the word of God, come what may. Are you?