Luke 3 Devotional

Beloved Before Any Miracle

“and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in a bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.””Luke 3:22 (BSB)

John's preaching is blunt. He warns the crowds that descent from Abraham will not shelter them, and that every tree without good fruit will be cut down (3:7-9). When they ask what to do, his answers are ordinary: share your extra tunic and food, collect no more than you are owed, do not extort, be content with your pay (3:10-14). Repentance shows up in daily dealings. Yet John insists that someone far more powerful is coming (3:16).

Then that one steps into the water. While all the people are being baptized, Jesus is baptized too, and as he prays, the Spirit descends on him and the Father declares his love and delight in his Son (3:21-22). He has not yet preached or healed anyone. Luke then traces his line back to Adam (3:38), tying him to the whole human race. The Son stood in line with sinners. Because the Father delights in him, you can come to God through him, and let repentance reach your wallet and your work.

To think about: Where in your ordinary dealings with money, work or people would turning to God look as concrete as John's answers to the crowds?