John's Message | The Wolfe Notes

These notes follow our 7-step rhythm for Bible study. Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotes are from the Expanded Bible translation.

John's Message

(From Luke 3:7-20)

Rocks in Stream by bluesnap at Pixabay

1. Summary

John taught the Israelites that they should not rely on their ancestry for salvation, but should consider whether or not their works prove that they have truly repented. If truly repentant, they would care for the vulnerable and not take advantage of their position of authority. Many wondered if John was the Messiah, but he assured them that he was not. The Messiah would baptize with the Holy Ghost and with fire, whereas John used water. John's zeal led to imprisonment when he challenged Herod on his evils.

2. N/W/L Statements

1. I NOTICED that many people were wanting to do what was right. You can tell because they asked John about it.
2. I WONDER what instruction John would give to me specifically.
3. I think God wants us to LEARN that if you truly have changed and are now following Jesus instead of yourself, your actions will show it.

3. Key Verse

Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. Luke 3:8 (NIV)

I think this verse tidily sums up John's message: Let your works show to whom you belong, not your ancestry chart. It ends with a poignant reminder: God's purpose will find fulfillment with or without you. He does not need you to succeed. Which reminds me of Haman's reminder to Esther (Esther 4:14).

4. God's Character

1. God chooses those who follow His ways.
1. The LORD searches [The eyes of the LORD search] all [throughout] the earth for people who have given themselves completely to him [whose hearts are completely his/committed to him]. He wants to strengthen them. Asa, you did a foolish thing, so from now on you will have wars. 2 Chronicles 16:9
2. After God took [Saul] away [removed/deposed him], God made David [raised up David as] their king [2 Samuel 2-7]. God said [witnessed; testified] about him: 'I have found in David son of Jesse the kind of man I want [a man whose heart is like mine; a man after my own heart; I Samuel 13:14; Psalm 89:20]. He will do [or accomplish] all I want him to do [my will].' Acts 13:22
3. If you love me, you will obey my commands [or If you love me, obey my commands; this may be either a declaration or a command] John 14:15 
2. God clearly communicates His expectations.
1. You are not pleased by sacrifices, or I would give them. You don't want burnt offerings [Leviticus 1:1-17]. The sacrifice God wants is a broken spirit. God, you will not reject [despise] a heart that is broken and sorry for sin [contrite; Isaiah 57:15; 66:2; Micah 6:6-8] Psalm 51;16-17
2. The LORD has told you, human [O man], what is good; he has told you what he wants [the LORD requires] from you: to do what is right to other people [just], love being kind to others [mercy; lovingkindness], and live humbly, obeying [walk humbly with] your God. Micah 6:8
3. Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of [Tend; Shepherd] my sheep." John 21:16

5. Pray

Father God, I do love You, and it is Your commandments I seek to keep. Help me to keep my eyes focused on You and my heart open to humbly feeding Your sheep. Lead me to repentance when I stray.

6. Act

• Learn God's ways.
• Do as He says.
• Commit your life to feeding His sheep, literally and spiritually.

7. Annotation Notes

? Denotes a question, * a personal thought, x a cross reference, ! a connection, and italics a referenced source.

1. ! Claiming Abraham as a father assumes Israel's birthright as God's special possession. (Luke 3:8)
1. x I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you. I will make you famous [your name great], and [or so that] you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you, and I will place a curse on those who harm [or curse] you. And all the people [families, clans] on earth will be blessed through you [the promises of the Abrahamic covenant]." Genesis 12:1-3
2. x The Scriptures say the same thing about Abraham [Just as (it says)]: "Abraham believed God, and God accepted Abraham's faith, and that faith made him right with God [it (Abraham's faith) was credited to him as righteousness]." So you should know that the true children of Abraham are those who have faith. Galatians 3:6-7 
2. ! Saying that God could raise up more children from the rocks creates several connections for me.
1. On Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, He's told by the Pharisees to silence the crowd. But Jesus says, "If I silence them, then the rocks would cry out." Luke 19:37-40
2. We are cut from a stone quarry of ancestors that trace back to Abraham and Sarah. Isaiah 51:1-2 (See our Isaiah 51 notes.)
3. Then, there is Haman's warning to Esther: "...If you keep quiet [silent] at this time, someone else will help and save the Jews [liberation/relief and protection/deliverance for the Jews will arise/appear from another place], but you and your father's family [relatives] will all die. And who knows, you may have been chosen queen [come to your royal position; come to the kingdom] for just such a time as this." Esther 4:14
3. x John's instruction regarding sharing clothing and food (Luke 3:11) echoes Isaiah: 
1. Share your food with the hungry and bring poor, homeless people into your own homes. When you see someone who has no clothes, give him yours [clothe him], and don't refuse to help [conceal yourself from] your own relatives [flesh]. Isaiah 58:7 (See our Isaiah 58 notes.)
4. ? What does it mean to be baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire? Refinement? Purifying? (Luke 3:16)
5. *Truly John is bold to call out Herod for marrying his brother's wife.
1. x "You must not have sexual relations with [expose/uncover the nakedness of] your brother's wife. That would shame [It is the nakedness of] your brother. Leviticus 18:16 

Sample these related posts:

• To browse Bible reading plans.
• To read Matthew's perspective of John's message.
• To review John's foretold purpose.
• To see how we relate to rocks.
• To love others well.

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