Luke 3:25 “the son of Mattathiah, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai,” Though not the prophets themselves, we see here an Amos and a Nahum in the line of Christ. Very likely these names were not common until after he time of the prophets they…

Luke 3:24 “the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Janna, the son of Joseph,” Joseph and Levi are, of course, common names among Jewish people even to this very day. Janna, Melchi, and Matthat are more rare. Matthat means ‘Gift of God’. Melchi is ‘My King’. Janna…

Luke 3:23 “Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, the son of Heli,”    Jesus started ministering in earnest around the time of His baptism. And, now Luke gives us the genealogy through His earthly father. Of course, he was not born…

Luke 3:22 “And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”    The baptism of Christ is quite a significant event. Because Jesus is all-powerful we tend to forget that He had…

Luke 3:21 “When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened.”     This was, of course, before John was imprisoned. Jesus was baptized for a couple of reasons. He did so to fulfill prophecy. It connected Him with the ministry…

Luke 3:20 “also added this, above all, that he shut John up in prison.”    Could not this have been prevented? Could not God have determined to not allow this to happen? His ways are not our ways. When we begin to think we have a better plan then He, we go down a dangerous…

Luke 3:19 “But Herod the tetrarch, being rebuked by him concerning Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,”    This world goes on in its processes without taking serious thought for the idea of morality. Oh, morality is claimed. But, that is only a show of goodness to…

Luke 3:18 “And with many other exhortations he preached to the people.”    John had something to say. There was a message at hand. It wasn’t just words and empty platitudes. There was truth to be had. This must be true of all preaching. If there is no substance, no amount of form will make…

Luke 3:17 ” “His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.”    John is describing a purging process here. Jesus will sift through humanity. He will take out the fruits of His…

Luke 3:16 “John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”    John addresses the whole crowd, wanting to make sure everyone heard this important message. Indeed,…