The Relevance Of Repentance
Luke 3:1-38
Introduction
Luke 3:1-2 says, “In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene—during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert.” In response to this word from God, v3 says John went into all the country preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The idea of repentance may sound negative today, but when understood, it is very positive and liberating. This leads to our theme today from Luke 3:1-38 — The Relevance of Repentance. To understand this, we need to define what we mean by repentance…
Reviewing Repentance (vs.1-6)
Preparing for a royal visit
When the Queen visits a town, an emissary or an assistant is sent to prepare for her visit. Streets are cleaned, people dress up, and a carpet is laid. Special preparation was also made for the coming of King Jesus. The emissary on this occasion was John the Baptist. He encouraged people to mend their hearts not their roads; to dress up the inner life not the outer one; to put out a welcome mat for our Lord and Saviour.
Defining repentance
In this context, Luke 3:3 says, “John preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” Baptism is the washing away of sin and repentance is a change of mind. It is a change of mind about God, about sin, about ourselves, and about others.
Repentance is more than feeling sorry. 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 says, “I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led to repentance… Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation.”
Obstacles to be removed
To prepare the way for the coming of Christ, Luke 3:5-6 says that certain obstacles had to be removed. It says, “Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight and the rough ways smooth.” Our life may appear rough now, but it will be a lot smoother if we repent and come to Christ. This takes us from the meaning of repentance in this review, to the main message of repentance under the heading…
Restating Repentance (vs.7-14, 19-20)
A voice in the wilderness
Humanly speaking, the odds were against John being a successful preacher. There was no impressive auditorium—just a desert. There was no carefully dressed orator—just a country preacher in camel skin. There was no attractive programme with special music—just a loud voice talking about repentance. There was no colourful advertising—just plain words in black and white.
The message of John
Notwithstanding his appearance, v7 says the crowds came to be baptised by John. In the crowd were religious leaders and state officials. Surely, John would be careful not to upset them. Notwithstanding his esteemed audience, John said in vs.7-9, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance… The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” As a herald of the king, John dare not change his message. John feared God first and vs.19-20 says he even rebuked Herod because of all the evil he had done. For this, John was put in prison and executed. This was the cost of preaching repentance.
The message of repentance today
Though the message of repentance is costly, v10 says that some in the crowd responded positively. They said, “What should we do?” In vs.11-14, John points to specific areas where they needed to repent. He said, “Those with two tunics should share with those who have none, and those who have food should do the same.” To the tax collectors he said, “Don’t collect any more than you are required.” To soldiers he said, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.” John didn’t look for a religious response, but a moral one. He called for generosity towards others. In doing this, John continued the message of the Old Testament prophets like Micah. Micah 6:8 says, “God has shown us what is good, and what he requires of us—to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God”. This is the message of repentance, and it leads us from the what and the why of repentance, to the how…
Renewing Repentance (vs.15-18, 21-38)
Messianic expectancy
Luke 3:15 says, “The people were waiting expectantly and wondering if John might be the Messiah. John responds in v16 by saying, “I baptise you with water, but one more powerful than I will come, whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” This leads us from the message of repentance in John the Baptist, to the means of repentance in Jesus.
The way to repentance
As the means of repentance, v21 says Jesus was baptised. Notice, however, that he didn’t ask John what he must do. Jesus did not need to repent, but he was baptised to identify with those who did. In Matthew 3:15, Jesus said to John, “It is proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness.” This is why Jesus was born; this is why he was circumcised; this is why he became a son of the Law; this is why he was baptised; this is why he lived; this is why he died. He did this to fulfil all righteousness.
At this point, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him… a voice came from heaven saying: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” This is followed by a statement that Jesus was thirty years of age. This is the age a person became a rabbi in Israel. Luke then gives the genealogy of Jesus, which highlights his humanity by going back to Adam. Matthew’s gospel follows a Messianic line through David and Abraham. The main point is that Jesus had a proven pedigree when he began his work as a rabbi.
In you I am well pleased
In v22, God the Father said to Jesus, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” If we come to Jesus in repentance and follow him, one day we too will hear these words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” This is why repentance is so relevant and liberating—it is for our good, it is for the good of others, and it is for the glory of God. This is the relevance of repentance
Bernard Cartledge