BibleProject | Upside-Down Kingdom / Part 1 - LukeSample

In this next section, Luke zooms forward in time. John is now a prophet leading a renewal ministry at the Jordan River, and crowds of people are coming to be baptized––the poor, the rich, tax collectors and even soldiers. All these people are dedicating themselves to a new way of life. Long ago, Israel came to inherit their land by crossing this same river, and God gave them a responsibility. They were called to serve him alone and love their neighbor and pursue justice together. We know from stories in the Old Testament that they failed at this repeatedly, so John is calling Israel to start over––to go back through the Jordan River and come out rededicated to their God. This renewal movement will prepare them for what God is going to do next.

Now it’s here at the Jordan that Jesus appears on the scene ready to begin his Kingdom work. Jesus is baptized by John, and when he comes out of the waters, the skies open up and a voice from heaven says, “You are my son whom I love, with you I am well pleased.” Now God’s words here are packed with echoes from the Hebrew Scriptures. This first line is from Psalm 2, where God promised that a king would come and rule in Jerusalem to confront evil among the nations. The next line is from the book of the prophet Isaiah, and it refers to the Messiah who would become a servant and suffer and die on Israel’s behalf.

After this, Luke traces Jesus’ ancestry back to David (king of Israel), Abraham (father of Israel), Adam (father of humanity) and to God (the creator of all). In this, Luke helps us see Jesus as the messianic King who came from God to renew not only Israel but all of humanity.

Read, Reflect, and Respond:

• Compare Luke 3:21-22 with God’s words in Isaiah 42:1-4 and Psalm 2:7-9. What do you notice?
  
• Read the prophecies that anticipated John the Baptist’s identity and purpose (Isaiah 40:3-5, Malachi 4:5). Compare these passages with John’s message in Luke 3:7-14. What do you notice?
  
• How did John the Baptist and the crowds respond to King Jesus’ public appearance? What is your response today?
  
• Jesus is the messianic King, the one who gives us a new start. In him, we can receive the beloved approval of God. Take time to pray to him. Express gratitude, tell him where you struggle, and ask him for what you need.