Luke 3

January 3, 2011

As we begin Luke 3 we see that Luke is verifying the time and key individuals so that anyone can check his facts. The 15th year of Tiberius was the first year of Pontius Pilate’s governorship of Judea, 26 A.D. We must remember the Monks who designed the calendar we use today miscalculated. They were attempting to match Jesus birth with date “0” but were off by 4 years. In 26 A.D. John was 30 or 31 and Jesus 30 (they were 6 months apart). By the way, for those that are concerned about the Mayan prophecy about 2012, according to true calculations we are already in the year 2015.

Continuing on with Luke’s verification of prophecy, he quotes Isaiah 40: 3 – 5 regarding John’s ministry. John ministry was a transition ministry, it was a blend of the Old Testament, in your face confrontational style and the beginnings of a grace walk that Jesus firmly introduced to us. John strongly resist the religious people who are depending upon their tradition for righteousness rather than the fruit of true righteousness.

It is important to notice how John handles the soldiers and the tax collectors. Often we think that someone needs to leave their profession if it is considered borderline by some in the faith, John doesn’t push that here. There are some in Christianity who feel it is wrong to fight or join the army, John doesn’t tell the soldiers to leave the military he simply tells them to be fair and kind and to do their duty as soldiers. To the tax collector, one of the most hated professions in the Bible, he challenges him not to leave his profession but to do his job well and fairly.

What is your job or profession? God does not call us all to be professional pastors, evangelist, or missionaries. He has given each one of us different skills. Your skill is to be used to help you to earn and income or support your family in other ways and to build up the church. Your gifts are just as important to the Lord, as a professional minister. Your gifts open doors to touch lives. Never belittle the gifts and skills the Lord has given you. Every gift, talent, and ability is from the Lord and if we give it back to Him it gives Him glory and blesses us.

Last thought about Luke 3. Luke includes Joseph’s genealogy to prove, even though Jesus was not blood related to Joseph, that Jesus came from the line of David on both sides of the family.

What are your skills? What do you find fulfilling in your day-to-day work? Whatever that is take the time today to offer it back to the Lord? Allow Him to guide your work and watch how much more effective the Lord will help you to be in all that you do. He will also open more doors of opportunity and as daily give your skills back to Him!

Tomorrow - Luke 4