John's Baptism (Luke 3:1-22).

John's Baptism of Repentance

¹ Tiberius Caesar was the Roman Emperor and he was even worshipped as a ‘god’ in parts of the Empire.  Israel was in their land but they were forced to live under Roman rule. Rome had put Pontius Pilate in charge in Judea. ‘Herod the Great’ who was appointed by Rome as King in Israel was dead and his territory was divided among four rulers. Herod and his sons were illegitimate Jews and Roman collaborators. Herod Antipas oversaw Galilee and his brother, Philip, was in charge of Iturea and Traconitis. ² Annas and Caiaphas were from the same priestly family and were the High Priests appointed by Rome.

Into a world entrenched with Roman oppressors and Jewish collaborators with Rome came God’s word. The word of God came to John, the son of Zechariah, in the wilderness around the Jordan River. John’s message is symbolically connected to Israel’s wilderness wandering and their crossing the Jordan River. These symbols depict Israel’s need for a new beginning or a ‘New Exodus’ in order to take possession of their ‘Promised Land’.

So Israel comes out to the wilderness around the Jordan River to hear John preach his ‘baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins’ ⁴ in preparation for the coming Lord. The quoting of Isaiah 40 indicates that a total upheaval of the present landscape was needed to make straight paths for the coming return of the Lord. ⁵ Valleys were to be filled in and mountains were to be leveled. The crooked and rough roads were to be made straight and smooth ⁶ and all people would see God’s salvation. This was consistent with Simeon’s vision of the infant Jesus as ‘God’s salvation for all people’.  

⁷ John calls for baptism depicting the need for the forgiveness of sins and the need for genuine repentance. Moreover, John warns those coming to him for hypocritical reasons by calling them snakes and questioning why they were fleeing the coming wrath. ⁸ Preparation for the coming Lord would require fruit consistent with ‘true repentance’ and no mere claim to being a physical descent of Abraham. Claiming to be a child of Abraham would not protect one from God’s judgment. God was able to raise up from the stones ‘children for Abraham’.

⁹ From John’s perspective the axe was already at the roots; so that those not producing fruit would be cut down and thrown in the fire. In other words, the judgment of God is near, and John’s was an urgent call to life transformation. ¹⁰ The crowds asked John what they were to do and he said those with extra clothes and food were to share it with those in need. Those common poor people living in relative poverty where to pool their resources and care for one another.  

² Those tax collectors who were considered Roman collaborators where not to use their positions to exploit their fellow Jews. John did not say forsake their occupations, but he did say do not collect more than was required. They were not take advantage of vulnerable people. They were no to benefit at the expense of the poor oppressed Israelites.  In the same way ¹⁴ soldiers were not to force people to give them money or falsely accuse people. Rather the soldiers were to be content with their pay.

¹⁵ People wondered if the bold prophet was the Christ. However, John humbly confessed that that the Christ was coming after him adn that that he was not fit to untie his sandals. John’s baptism symbolized cleansing, but the one coming would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. ¹⁷ He would bring the repentant into union with God and gather the wheat and burn the chaff with unquenchable fire. ¹⁸ John preached the ‘good news’ to the people, but he spoke out against Herod for taking his brother’s wife. ²⁰ Herod was no genuine king of the Jews and he added to his lawlessness by having John locked up in prison.

John Baptizes Jesus

John the Baptist message was ‘good news’ of  the return of God. The word of God breaks into a world under Roman dominion. The sons of Herod the Great’s were ruling under Rome and they were neither benevolent nor faithful Jews. The high priests were also appointed by Rome and weren’t much better. John brought a ‘word from God’ telling people to gather in wilderness by the Jordan for a ‘New Exodus’. This would require a radical reorientation of the present order; a genuine turning to God from the heart. ‘Return to me, and I will return to you’ (Malachi 3:7). Isaiah had talked about preparing the way for the Lord and John’s was a prepatory baptism of cleansing. Yet, John was calling Israel to a change of heart. 

This was no mere confession that one was one of Abraham’s children. In the coming kingdom people would care for one another and share what they had. Tax-collectors were not to take more than was required and soldiers (Herod’s troops) were not to abuse their power.and take advantage of people. John was pointing to the coming Messianic king of the Jews, who would bring God’s blessing and justice to the world. This was ‘good news’ for the people, but correction for Herod. By contrast to both Caesar and Herod Antipas, this coming king would restore God’s presence among God’s repentant people. He would baptize with the Spirit, gather his wheat and burn up the chaff. Ironically, this coming king identified with those needing John’s baptism, and he was ‘anointed’ by the Spirit and confirmed to be the ‘Son of God’ by the voice from heaven; King Jesus our Lord! 

The Boy in the Temple (Lk 2:41-52)

The Backstory: God had promised Abraham multiple descendants and a homeland to bless the world (Genesis 12:1-3, 15, 17). His descendants ended up enslaved in Egypt, but God rescued them through Moses and they began their conquest of their 'promised land' under Joshua and they took full possession of it under Israel’s king, David. They were to be God’s ‘holy nation’ (Exodus 19:4-6) and yet, instead of being a ‘light to the nations’ they became idolatrous like the other nations. The nation was divided, the North was scattered and the Southern kingdom were taken into Babylonian captivity for 70 years. Because God was determined to bless the world through Abraham and make a ‘Son of David’ king over God’s people forever (2 Samuel 7:12-14) they returned to their land under the Persians. However, they remained dominated in their own land and at the time of the Roman Empire they were longing for God to send a ‘conquering king’ to liberate them (Isaiah 42:1-9, 61:1-3)! 

The Boy Jesus in the Temple (LK  2:41-52)

⁴¹ We next find Jesus attending the Passover festival in Jerusalem with his parents when he’s 12 years old. Mary and Joseph were faithful to the law and they raised Jesus to be a faithful Jew. ⁴³ After the feast, they set out with their group of friends and family to return to Galilee. Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents didn’t realize it until had traveled for a day.  They would have been among a large group friends and relatives and felt that Jesus was safely among them without having Jesus next to them.

⁴⁵ Once they realize Jesus wasn’t among them, they return to Jerusalem without their extended group. They frantically search Jerusalem and they were unable to find him for three days. ⁴⁶ Finally, they look in the temple where they find Jesus in the temple asking the teachers various questions. ⁴⁷ Those listening to the exchange were amazed at his understanding.

⁴⁸ They’re probably worried and scared so when they see him in the temple among the teachers, his mother says, “Son, why have you treated us like this? We’ve been looking for you.” ⁴⁹ Jesus is surprised that they didn’t know that he had to be in his Father’s house. ⁵⁰ They fail to understand him, ⁵¹ but Mary treasured these things up in her heart.  ⁵² Then they return to Nazareth and Jesus grew in wisdom and in favor with God and people.

Jewish men were required to attend all three annual festivals in Jerusalem, but only the Passover was strictly observed. Joseph took his wife annually, and they brought Jesus when he was twelve years of old. At 12  a Jewish boy would normally be instructed and could entry the religious community. After they celebrated the feast, Mary and Joseph left with their group of extended family and friends. Yet, Jesus had stayed behind, so they return to Jerusalem without their group.

At Passover time, the city of 25,000 would swell with up to a 100,000 visitors. Jerusalem would become a potentially scary place with plenty of soldiers, traders and other strangers there. Mary and Joseph’s three day search ends with Jesus among the teachers in the temple. Mary blames Jesus, but Jesus gently rebukes his mother saying, ‘I had to be in my father’s house.’ Even at that early age Jesus’ relationship with God  was his priority. They didn’t understand him, but Jesus was careful to obey his parents. His comments were beyond their understanding, but ary treasured it up in her heart.

In Luke's gospel the Temple is central. Zechariah had his vision in the temple. Simeon and Anna, find Jesus in the temple and here Jesus is in the temple discussing things with the teachers of the law. Moreover, Luke's travel narrative will progress towards the Jerusalem Temple (9:51-19:48). Then, after Jesus' resurrection and ascencion Luke’s gospel will end with the disciples in the Temple praising God at the dawn of a new age (24:50-53). 

The Infant in the Temple (LK 2:22-40)

The Backstory: God had promised Abraham multiple descendants and a homeland to bless the world (Genesis 12:1-3, 15, 17). His descendants ended up enslaved in Egypt, but God rescued them through Moses. They took full possession of their land under Israel’s king, David. They were to be God’s ‘holy nation’ (Exodus 19:4-6) and yet, instead of being a ‘light to the nations’ they became idolatrous like the other nations. The nation was divided, the North was scattered and the Southern kingdom were taken into Babylonian captivity for 70 years. Because God was determined to bless the world through Abraham and make a ‘Son of David’ king over God’s people forever (2 Samuel 7:12-14) they returned to their land under the Persians. However, they remained dominated in their own land and at the time of the Roman Empire they were longing for God to send a ‘conquering king’ to liberate them (Isaiah 42:1-9, 61:1-3)! 

The Infant Jesus in the Temple (LK  2:22-40)

²¹ Jesus’ parents were faithful to circumcise Jesus on the eighth day. They follow the purification procedure as stated in the Law. They are faithful to name their child, Jesus, the name given them by the angel Gabriel. Jesus is the Greek version of Joshua. In a sense, Jesus is the new version of Joshua, who will lead ‘true Israel’ into the fulfillment of God’s promises. Mary and Joseph’s obedience to ‘the Law’ led them to the Jerusalem temple, the dwelling-place of God among his people. They dedicated their firstborn at the temple according to the Law and they offered a sacrifice acceptable for poor people. 

²⁵ Then we find the elderly Simeon, who has been led by the Spirit into the temple courtyard and to Mary and Joseph. Simeon was waiting for the ‘consolation of Israel’. The Spirit was upon Simeon and had told him that he would see the Lord’s Christ before he died. So the Spirit led Simeon to the temple and to Jesus. ²⁸ Simeon takes the infant Jesus in his arms and sees in Jesus, the ‘Lord’s salvation’ which has been prepared by God in the sight of all people. Now Simeon says he can pass away in peace for he sees Jesus as the savior ³¹ of all people; ³² and a ‘light to Gentiles’ and ‘glory of Israel’.”

³³ Mary and Joseph knew what Gabriel had told them about Jesus, but here they’re amazed that Simeon has this knowledge. ³⁴Simeon blesses the family and tells Mary directly that the child will cause the ‘rise and fall’ of many in Israel and that many will speak against the child. ³⁵ Mary’s child will ‘reveal the thoughts of many’ and a sword will pierce Mary’s soul as well. 

³⁶ Then an extremely elderly prophetess, Anna, approaches the couple. Anna worships in the temple continually. ³⁸ Seeing the child see thanks God and speaks about the child to those in the temple court who were waiting for Jerusalem to be liberated. ³⁹ Joseph and Mary do what ‘the Law’ requires and return home to Nazareth in Galilee. ⁴⁰ The child Jesus grew, became strong and was blessed by God’s grace.