Day 2, Geographic/Prophetic Context of Jesus’ Life Lk 3:1-6

The context of Jesus’ earthly ministry was not only historical/political; it was geographic and prophetic.  It begins with the ministry of John the Baptist.

·        Geographical context.  John’s family home was in the hill country of Judah (Lk. 1:39.)  But as God’s prophet he lived over the hill to the east, in the desert of Judah along the Dead Sea around Jericho.  This is the region around the Jordan.  This was where Jesus came to be baptized. 

In that area, around Qumran, there was a community of Jews called Essenes.  They claimed to be the voice … crying in the wilderness (used of John in 3:4-6) and lived in expectation of the Messiah.  They spent their days copying the Scriptures and stressed disciplines such as fasting and prayer and practiced baptism by immersion.  All these things were also true of John leading some to wonder if John was connected to them. 

But contrary to John, the Essenes were a politically motivated community.  And while they looked for the Messiah, they rejected Jesus and followed one of their own.  John’s lifestyle was even more stringent than theirs and he was more public in his ministry.  Whether John had any connection is not an important question.  What defined John’s ministry and message was that the word of God came to John.  He was a prophet of God, one who spoke for God.

·        Prophetical context.  When we say prophetical we refer to God’s plan to exalt His Son over the nations (Psa. 2:6-9), what Scripture calls the mystery of God (e.g. Rev. 10:7).  All the prophets pointed to Christ.  The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Rev. 19:10).  For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us (2 Cor. 1:20). 

John preached a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins calling people to repentance in preparation for the soon-coming Messiah.  Two Old Testament prophecies defined John’s ministry.  Isaiah 40:3-5 (quoted here and in all the gospels; Mt. 3:3; Mk. 1:2-5; Jn. 1:23) describes the forerunner of Messiah as one who cries prepare the way of the LORD.  He announces the Messianic time when all flesh shall see the salvation of God.  Malachi 3:1-3 describes the forerunner as the messenger of the covenant (cf. Mt. 11:10; Mk. 1:2-3; Lk. 7:26-28) and identifies him as Elijah (Mal. 4:5-6).  This was John’s ministry: to call people to ready their hearts by repentance in anticipation of the coming Messianic King.

John’s ministry is evidence of God’s grace.  Many responded to this message and Jesus often referred to John as He declared the gospel of the kingdom.  God gave His people every opportunity to receive His Son who came after John.