This week we follow Luke’s account of John the Baptist’s ministry (Luke 3.1-20). The Baptist does more than simply call the crowds to participate in the rite of immersion baptism, but he calls all people to prepare the way for the Lord’s coming by repenting. While repentance can sound like a negative word today, we will learn that it is an essential condition under which the disciple may experience God’s saving reign. Faith and repentance are the condition of heart in which we can expect to meet God and experience his saving reign, through his Son Jesus.
Reflection Questions
Read Luke 3.1-20.
1. What is the nature of the repentance John the Baptist called for?
2. For what reasons can the Baptist make such a radical demand?
Further questions:
3. Does the Baptist ask people to give up their regular roles and responsibilities in order to show the fruit of repentance?
4. In what circumstance might a practice or custom of a profession need to be avoided by the disciple in order to demonstrate repentance?
Praise and Worship Videos
1. Sovereign Grace, ‘Turn Your Eyes’.
2. Chris Tomlin, ‘Miracle Love’.
3. Sovereign Grace Music, ‘All I Have is Christ’.