John the Baptist Appears

International Sunday School Lesson December 18 2022 Winter #3

Luke 3:2-6 ESV  during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness.  (3)  And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  (4)  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.  (5)  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,  (6)  and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”

Luke 3:2-6 ESV

Luke 3:15-18 ESV  As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ,  (16)  John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.  (17)  His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”  (18)  So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people.

Luke 3:15-18 ESV

Notes

Background

• John and Jesus were born and grew up
• They do not appear to have met
• John 1:31 (ESV) I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.”
• About a 10 hour walk between their homes

John’s Call — Luke 3:2-3

• JFB Annas and Caiaphas … high priests — the former, though deposed, retained much of his influence, and, probably, as sagan or deputy, exercised much of the power of the high priesthood along with Caiaphas (Joh 18:13; Act 4:6)
• Matthew 11:9-13 (ESV) What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. [10] This is he of whom it is written, “‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ [11] Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. [12] From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. [13] For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John,

Prophesied — Luke 3:4-6

Is He Christ? — Luke 3:15

• John 3:28-29 (ESV) You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ [29] The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete.

Point to Jesus — Luke 3:16-17

• Acts 1:5 (ESV) for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

The Good News — Luke 3:18

• Dake lists the 30 doctrines that John preached in his notes in Matthew 3:1
• Romans 10:15 (ESV) And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”