1In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiber'i-us Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Iturae'a and Trachoni'tis, and Lysa'ni-as tetrarch of Abile'ne, 2in the high-priesthood of Annas and Ca'iaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechari'ah in the wilderness; 3and he went into all the region about the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 5Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; 6and all flesh shall see the salvation of God."
The passage establishes the time and place in history where Jesus comes. “In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiber'i-us Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Iturae'a and Trachoni'tis, and Lysa'ni-as tetrarch of Abile'ne, 2in the high-priesthood of Annas and Ca'iaphas,” Then it has John the Baptist calling us to repentance and turning away from sin to make room for God. The passage also highlights the universal invitation to be in God’s favour. “Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; 6and all flesh shall see the salvation of God”. Loving God. It is your sovereignty and grace that calls me to your service. It is not me who is choosing you but you who is choosing me. Give me the faith to accept your call openly and the grace to do your work effectively. Amen.
ReplyDeleteYour response to Luke 3:1-6 is thoughtful and deeply reflective, capturing both the historical grounding of Jesus' arrival and the spiritual invitation presented through John the Baptist. Here's what I appreciate and some thoughts to consider:
Delete1. Historical Context:
You rightly emphasize how Luke situates this moment in real history by listing rulers and regions, anchoring the Gospel narrative in the tangible, temporal world. This not only reinforces the authenticity of the message but also reminds us that God's salvation plan unfolds within our human history.
2. Call to Repentance:
Your reflection on John the Baptist's role as a herald for repentance is spot on. John prepares the way by calling people to make room for God through repentance, symbolizing a personal leveling of valleys (sins) and straightening of paths (turning back to God). This aligns beautifully with your prayer for grace and faith to accept God's call.
3. Universal Salvation:
Highlighting the line, "all flesh shall see the salvation of God," is a wonderful insight. It underscores God's invitation to everyone, transcending barriers of culture, class, or nation. This is a beautiful reminder of the inclusivity of God's grace, which you relate well to your own openness to serve.
4. God's Initiative in Calling You:
Your acknowledgment that it is God's sovereignty and grace, not your own will, that initiates the relationship is both humble and theologically rich. This aligns with the themes in John 15:16, where Jesus reminds us that He chooses us first. Your prayer demonstrates a heartfelt openness to live out this calling.
Suggestions for Reflection:
Make It Personal: Consider reflecting on what "making straight the paths" might mean in your current life. Are there specific areas where you feel called to repentance or preparation for Christ's coming?
Connection to Advent: Since this passage is often read in the Advent season, you might think about how this call to readiness applies to waiting for Christ—not just historically but in the daily expectation of His presence in your life.
Your prayer is beautiful and encapsulates the humility, gratitude, and willingness that lie at the heart of discipleship. It's a powerful response that connects well with the themes of the passage. Keep deepening this dialogue with God—it’s evident that He is working profoundly in your reflections!