John the Baptist was baptizing and preaching repentance to many, including the common people, tax collectors and soldiers who came and asked him, “WHAT SHOULD WE DO?” “Everyone was expecting the Messiah to come soon, and they were eager to know whether John might be the Messiah. John answered their questions by saying, “I baptize you with water; but someone is coming soon who is GREATER THAN I AM—SO MUCH GREATER that I’M NOT EVEN WORTHY TO BE HIS SLAVE and untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the HOLY SPIRIT AND WITH FIRE. (Luke 3:15-16)
John the Baptist was sent to earth for one purpose, he was, “…the voice of one calling: “In the wilderness PREPARE THE WAY FOR THE LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” (Isa. 40:3) Luke said it like this, “…he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to TURN THE HEARTS OF THE PARENTS to their children and the disobedient TO THE WISDOM OF THE RIGHTEOUS—to make ready a people PREPARED FOR THE LORD.” (Luke 1:17)
When all the people were being baptized, “JESUS WAS BAPTIZED TOO. And as He was praying, heaven was opened and THE HOLY SPIRIT DESCENDED ON HIM IN BODILY FORM LIKE A DOVE. A VOICE CAME FROM HEAVEN: “YOU ARE MY SON, WHOM I LOVE; WITH YOU I AM WELL PLEASED…” (Luke 3:21-22)
AS WE WELL KNOW, JESUS WENT ON TO RECONCILE US TO GOD SO, WE BECAME HIS CHILDREN!
-Bill Stockham