(Lesson 5317)(08-27-26) Luke 3:19-20
“But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.”
Today's quote relates that Herod, after being rebuked by John the Baptist for his relationship with his brother's wife Herodias and for all the evils he had done, added to his transgressions by locking John up in prison. ~
Lesson 5316)(08-26-26) Luke 3:12-18
“Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages. And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not; John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable. And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people.”
Today's quote relates that after John had instructed tax collectors and soldiers on righteous conduct, John addressed the people's wonderings about the coming of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, by contrasting his ritual water baptism with the mightier work to come. He declared that Jesus will administer the true baptism of the Holy Ghost and of fire, the transformative spiritual immersion that saves lost souls, gathering the wheat into His garner while burning the chaff with unquenchable fire. ~
(Lesson 5315)(08-25-26) Luke 3:7-11
" Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise."
In today's quote, John confronted the Jewish hierarchy who were coming to him, explicitly shattering their belief that physical descent from Abraham provided automatic spiritual security or exemption from divine judgment. He warned that God had cut away those who were not productive, regardless of lineage. True standing before God is no longer defined by Jewish ancestry, but by producing active, evident fruits of repentance, which was to be illustrated through caring for the needy. ~
(Lesson 5314)(08-24-26) Luke 3:1-6
“Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 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; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”
Today's quote relates that during the fifteenth year of Emperor Tiberius's reign; the word of God came to John the Baptist in the desert. He traveled throughout the region of the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy to prepare the way of the Lord and declare that all flesh will see the salvation of God. ~
(Lesson 5313)(08-23-26) Luke 2:40-51
“And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.”
Today's quote relates that Jesus, at the age of twelve, had grown both in wisdom and God's grace. During the Passover in Jerusalem, He remained behind at the temple without His parents' knowledge, listening to and questioning the teachers, who were amazed at His understanding. When Joseph and Mary found Him after three days, He asked why they were worried about Him, explaining that He had to be about His Father's business, after which they all returned to Nazareth. ~
