The Historical Jesus – Luke 3:1-6

Christianity is a faith based in history.  Our Savior was born in 5 BCE.  He entered his ministry in 29 or 30 CE.  He was crucified in 33 CE.  He rose again from the dead three days later and ascended into heaven 40 days after that.  He is coming again and establishing his kingdom on earth.

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:  ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.  Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”  (Luke 3:1-6 ESV)

Luke gives very detailed historical markers for the beginning of John the Baptist’s public ministry, around A.D. 29.  His ministry comprised calling for repentance in anticipation of the coming of God to His people.  Baptism represented one’s cleansing and forgiveness for repenting and submitting to the King.  John did his baptisms in the Jordan River around Judea, the southern part of Israel.

Luke sees John’s ministry as a fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy in chapter 40, in which Isaiah predicts Yahweh’s coming with salvation to His people Israel.  But as with all visiting dignitaries, the King’s way must be prepared, making sure the roadway into the area is level and straight, with no roadblocks of any kind.  If John is the fulfillment of this prophecy then the roadblocks are sin and when people repent the path will be smoothed for God’s coming.

John is preparing the way for Jesus, the eternal Son, God who took on human nature to come and bring us salvation.  Jesus is Yahweh whose way is being prepared.

Jesus is coming again, and there is a need to be ready for his coming.  Repentance is still the appropriate way to be ready, pursuing the righteousness he has called us to.