When all the people were being baptised, Jesus was baptised too. (Luke 3:21)
Jesus begins his earthly ministry by being baptised by John in the Jordan. Why was Jesus baptised with John’s baptism of repentance? Does the Son of God need to repent, or is there something more to it?
John went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. (Luke 3:2)
Luke takes a slight pause to re-introduce us to John the Baptist. The last we read of him, he was living in the wilderness (Luke 1:80), but now he explodes into view as he prepares the way for the Lord. His focus is one of repentance. What does this baptism of repentance mean? Why is John talking about the forgiveness of sins.
‘Why were you searching for me?’ he asked. ‘Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?’ (Luke 2:49)
Who is Jesus? Luke is continuing to tell us more about who Jesus is. After Jesus is separated from Mary and Joseph, they find him in the temple, listening to the teachers of the law, and asking them questions. Jesus knew exactly who he was, but did everyone else around him? Do we? Do you?
For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel. (Luke 2:30-32)
Simeon was waiting to see God’s chosen Messiah, and was entirely content when he saw Jesus. As far as Simeon was concerned, and what Luke wants us to know, Jesus is God’s promised Messiah, who will bring all of God’s promises about.
so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught (Luke 1:4)
How can we be certain about our faith? Can we be confident in the teaching we have about Christianity? As we start to look at Luke’s gospels on Sunday mornings, we’ll see that’s exactly why Luke wrote his book. Luke wants his readers to be able to be confident in their faith, so he spent time researching and interviewing the eyewitnesses. As we read Luke, we can be confident that what we read is true.