Forgiven and Set Free!

Luke 3:1-6 New International Version

John the Baptist Prepares the Way 3 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— 2 during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,

‘Prepare the way for the Lord,

make straight paths for him.

5 Every valley shall be filled in,

every mountain and hill made low.

The crooked roads shall become straight,

the rough ways smooth.

6 And all people will see God’s salvation.’”[a

Monday - January 10

Luke chapter 3 starts a lot like Luke chapter 1 and 2. Luke starts by dating the events that occur. Since they did not have a universally accepted calendar for dates and seasons, history was marked by who was ruling at the time (for example, see 1 Kings 15:1). But all three “datings” in Luke 1, 2, and 3 tells us something remarkable. God did not use or speak through the great kings, tetrarchs, governors or rulers of the day. The “word of God” came to a man named John who lived in the wilderness near the Jordan River and ate locusts and wild honey. Here is a real man, living in real history and while all the great historical figures go about their great history making endeavours, God is at work through the preaching of His Word for the repentance and forgiveness of sins! In the name of Jesus, on January 10, 2022, you are forgiven and set free! You are a blessed child of God! Amen!!! (Sorry, I’m not going to eat locusts).