Immerse: Messiah - Flipbook - Page 21
2:49–3:14
Luke–ACTS
9
“But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I
must be in my Father’s house?” But they didn’t understand what he meant.
Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them.
And his mother stored all these things in her heart.
Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the
people.
It was now the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius, the Roman emperor.
Pontius Pilate was governor over Judea; Herod Antipas was ruler over
Galilee; his brother Philip was ruler over Iturea and Traconitis; Lysanias
was ruler over Abilene. Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests. At this
time a message from God came to John son of Zechariah, who was living
in the wilderness. Then John went from place to place on both sides of the
Jordan River, preaching that people should be baptized to show that they
had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. Isaiah had
spoken of John when he said,
“He is a voice shouting in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming!
Clear the road for him!
The valleys will be filled,
and the mountains and hills made level.
The curves will be straightened,
and the rough places made smooth.
And then all people will see
the salvation sent from God.’”
When the crowds came to John for baptism, he said, “You brood of
snakes! Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? Prove by the way you
live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say
to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means
nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these
very stones. Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever
the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will
be chopped down and thrown into the fire.”
The crowds asked, “What should we do?”
John replied, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have
food, share it with those who are hungry.”
Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, “Teacher,
what should we do?”
He replied, “Collect no more taxes than the government requires.”
“What should we do?” asked some soldiers.
