Luke 3:1-6 – The Forerunner

The Jews can’t say that when the Messiah comes, He comes with no notice. John the Baptist is sent before Jesus to get the nation’s attention. It is a time of great apathy on the part of the people and wickedness on the part of the rulers. Of the rulers listed in the first two verses we know very little that is good. But in the midst of this sin-darkened world, a light is about to shine. Like Moses who long ago pointed the way to deliverance, John too is in the desert when the word of God comes to him telling him what he is to do and sending him out to do it.
And so, into this sinful world, John comes preaching repentance and forgiveness. He teaches the people that they need to be baptised as a sign that they have repented and turned from their sin. He warns his listeners that unless they repent their sins will not be forgiven.

We must always remember that repentance doesn’t save us. The blood of Christ on our behalf is what has covered over our sins and turned God’s anger from us. No amount of being sorry for our sins can erase them in God’s eyes. They are forgiven through putting our trust in Christ, asking Him to be our Substitute. But before we can ask Christ to forgive us, we must want to be forgiven. This is where repentance comes in. We must hate our sins, turn from them, and look for forgiveness through the work of Jesus Christ. In other words, no one is saved who hasn’t repented.

What John is doing is making people aware of their sins. He is driving home to them the reality that they are sinners, that they should hate their sin, and that they should be looking for forgiveness. He is preparing the people for One coming who can forgive sins.

Questions
1. What is repentance?
2. How are your sins forgiven?
3. Does being sorry for your sin save you? What does?

Prayer Points
1. Pray for the salvation of family and friends.
2. Use prayer points from your congregation.
3. Pray for family matters.