The Uniform Lesson for December 28
Background & Commentary by Sam E. Stone

Through character studies in Luke, this month’s lessons have reminded us of the commitment needed by all who follow Christ. Ever the careful historian, Luke specifies the time when John the Baptist came, breaking 400 years of prophetic silence (3:1-6). Luke names the Roman ruler, the local rulers of the Jewish parts of the empire, the religious rulers, and the civil rulers!

Of the four Gospel writers, only Luke tells of John’s parents and of the coming of “the word of the Lord” to him. John ministered in “all the country around the Jordan” (3:3). In this wilderness area east of Jerusalem and north of the Dead Sea, John the Baptist preached to great crowds of people.

The baptisms John performed were to be preceded by repentance and the confession of one’s sin. Christian baptism calls only for a confession of faith in Christ (Acts 22:16; Romans 10:9, 10; Mark 16:16), along with repentance (Acts 2:38). Baptized Christians are also commanded to confess their sins to God, however (1 John 1:9).

Sin Corrected/Luke 3:7-9

Verse 7. John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?” John “tells it like it is!” Matthew notes that this message was intended especially for the Pharisees and Sadducees (Matthew 3:7-10). The coming wrath included both the destruction of Jerusalem (see Luke 21:20-23) and the final judgment (John 3:36).

Verses 8, 9. The Jews felt that they had an “in” with God due to their ancestry; but one’s birth gives no special privileges in God’s kingdom. Instead, everyone must be born again (John 1:13; 3:3). “Every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” Jesus gave the same warning (Matthew 7:19).

Change Directed/Luke 3:10-14

Verses 10, 11. Those who were serious about their faith wanted to avoid God’s wrath. John gave a practical, simple answer: Share the extra things that you have. The tunic was like a long undershirt. If you have two, share one with someone less fortunate.

Verses 12, 13. Tax collectors also came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” The Jews had to pay taxes to the occupying Roman authorities. The Romans hired Jews to be their tax collectors. They were especially despised by the people because they often extorted money from them. Often they were named with prostitutes and other outcasts. “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. It is not sinful to be a tax collector, but you should be honest, if this is your work.

Verse 14. Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.” The Jews who worked as guards or escorts with the Roman army received a similar reply: You don’t have to quit your job, but you must do it honestly. The command to be content with what you have speaks to every social class in every generation!

Christ Expected/Luke 3:15-18

Verse 15. The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ. The Jews longed for the promised Messiah. “When he comes, he will put an end to this oppression,” they assured each other. The question of John’s identity was brought up later with a formal inquiry from the Sanhedrin (John 1:19).

Verse 16. John answered immediately that he was not the Christ. The lowest servant would remove a guest’s sandals and wash his feet. John said he was not even worthy to do that menial task for the Messiah. While John baptized people in water, Christ would baptize them in the Holy Spirit. This prediction was fulfilled at Pentecost (Acts 1:5; 2:4). The Messiah would also come in judgment—and with fire (see Matthew 3:11).

Verse 17. “His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” A farmer would use a forked shovel to throw the grain in the air. The chaff would be blown away, then burned. At the final judgment, those who reject Christ face the burning fire of Hell (Revelation 14:9-11).

Verse 18. And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them. John the Baptist faithfully preached God’s message until his death. Of him, Jesus declared, “Among those born of women there is no one greater than John” (Luke 7:28). |L

OTHER COLUMNS:
November 15, 2009 - A faithful people
November 8, 2009 - A suffering people
November 1, 2009 - A chosen people
October 25, 2009 - A holy people
October 18, 2009 - Opting out
October 11, 2009 - Begging to get in
October 4, 2009 - Recognizing Jesus
September 27, 2009 - Looking for Jesus
September 20, 2009 - Nehemiah: motivator for the people
September 13, 2009 - Ezra: priest for the people
September 6, 2009 - Gideon: deliverer for the people
August 30, 2009 - Joshua: leader for the people
August 23, 2009 - Deciding to follow
August 16, 2009 - Obeying the commands
August 9, 2009 - Dishonoring God
August 2, 2009 - Doubting and rebellion
July 26, 2009 - Grumbling and complaining
July 19, 2009 - Providing a fresh start
July 12, 2009 - Commissioning for service
July 5, 2009 - Remembering and celebrating
June 28, 2009 - Accepting God’s rules
June 21, 2009 - Finding protection
June 14, 2009 - Recognizing authority
June 7, 2009 - Accepting responsibility
May 31, 2009 - Hearing God’s call
May 24, 2009 - New armor for battle
May 17, 2009 - New life in the home
May 10, 2009 - New message from God
May 3, 2009 - New works in grace
April 26, 2009 - New family in Christ
April 19, 2009 - Help those in need
April 12, 2009 - You are witnesses
April 5, 2009 - He is risen!
March 29, 2009 - Jesus is crucified
March 22, 2009 - A new source of life
March 15, 2009 - A new breath
March 8, 2009 - A new respect
March 1, 2009 - A new shepherd
February 22, 2009 - A new spirit
February 15, 2009 - Isaiah answers God’s call
February 8, 2009 - Esther risks her life
February 1, 2009 - Nathan confronts David
January 25, 2009 - A Shunammite woman hosts Elisha
January 18, 2009 - Samson’s mother prepares
January 11, 2009 - Joshua leads Israel
January 4, 2009 - Rahab helps God’s people
December 28, 2008 - Midwives serve God
December 14, 2008 - Shepherds glorify God
December 7, 2008 - Elizabeth honors the Messiah
November 30, 2008 - Hope for the suffering
November 23, 2008 - Grace in the community
November 16, 2008 - Leadership in the community
November 9, 2008 - Joy in the community
November 2, 2008 - Conflict in the community
October 26, 2008 - Unity in the community
October 19, 2008 - Evangelistic community
October 12, 2008 - Transformed community
October 5, 2008 - Growing community
September 28, 2008 - Empowered community
September 21, 2008 - Community of service
September 14, 2008 - Community of values
September 7, 2008 - Community of humility
August 31, 2008 - Community of repentance
August 24, 2008 - Prayerful community
August 17, 2008 - Godly servants
August 10, 2008 - Wise speakers
August 3, 2008 - Impartial disciples
July 27, 2008 - Doers of the Word
July 20, 2008 - Promised Messiah
July 13, 2008 - Exemplary servant
July 6, 2008 - Powerful healer
June 29, 2008 - Master Teacher
June 22, 2008 - Eternal Christ
June 15, 2008 - Trustworthy leader
June 8, 2008 - Perfect Redeemer
June 1, 2008 - Our only intercessor
May 25, 2008 - God’s Son
May 18, 2008 - Renewing the covenant
May 11, 2008 - Finishing the task
May 4, 2008 - Following a visionary leader
April 27, 2008 - Setting priorities
April 20, 2008 - Praying for the people
April 13, 2008 - Refusing to compromise
April 6, 2008 - Taking a stand
March 30, 2008 - Holding to convictions
March 23, 2008 - Josiah renews the covenant
March 16, 2008 - God fulfills his promises
March 9, 2008 - God calls Solomon to build the temple
March 2, 2008 - God makes a covenant with David
February 24, 2008 - The ark comes to Jerusalem
February 17, 2008 - Called to be a disciple
February 10, 2008 - Called to be humble
February 3, 2008 - Called to repent
January 27, 2008 - Called to labor
January 20, 2008 - Inspired to trust
January 13, 2008 - Inspired to pray
January 6, 2008 - Inspired to love
December 30, 2007 - Inspired to inquire
December 27, 2007 - Called to witness
December 16, 2007 - Called to rejoice
December 9, 2007 - Called to proclaim
December 2, 2007 - Called to be a vessel
November 25, 2007 - Called to believe
November 18, 2007 - Jacob blesses his family
November 11, 2007 - God preserves his people
November 4, 2007 - Joseph is exalted
October 28, 2007 - Joseph is mistreated
October 21, 2007 - Esau and Jacob reconciled
October 14, 2007 - Jacob and Rachel
October 7, 2007 - Jacob’s dream at Bethel
September 30, 2007 - Esau and Jacob as rivals
September 23, 2007 - Isaac and Rebekah
September 16, 2007 - Abraham, Hagar, and Ishmael
September 9, 2007 - Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac
September 2, 2007 - In the image of God
August 26, 2007 - The beginning
August 19, 2007 - Committed to doing right
August 12, 2007 - Committed to returning to God
August 5, 2007 - Committed to taking responsibility
July 29, 2007 - Committed to hope even in pain
July 22, 2007 - Committed to trusting God
July 15, 2007 - Committed to accountability
July 8, 2007 - Committed to hope
July 1, 2007 - Committed to righteousness
June 24, 2007 - Committed to God’s requirements
June 17, 2007 - Committed to seeking God
June 10, 2007 - Committed to true worship
June 3, 2007 - Recommitted to God’s ways
May 27, 2007 - Committed to justice
May 20, 2007 - Anticipating Christ’s return
May 13, 2007 - Living in God’s Presence
May 6, 2007 - Finding a home in Heaven
April 29, 2007 - Taking our place at the table
April 22, 2007 - Christ is our protection
April 15, 2007 - Christ is able to redeem
April 8, 2007 - Christ is worthy of praise
April 1, 2007 - Christ is risen
March 25, 2007 - Christ the king
March 18, 2007 - The way to love
March 11, 2007 - The source of love
March 4, 2007 - The test of love
February 25, 2007 - The light of love
February 18, 2007 - I am the true vine
February 11, 2007 - I am the way, the truth, and the life
February 4, 2007 - I am the resurrection and the life
January 28, 2007 - I am the good shepherd
January 21, 2007 - I am the light of the world
January 14, 2007 - Jesus is the bread of life and living water
January 7, 2007 - Jesus is authority and judge
December 31, 2006 - I am from above
December 24, 2006 - Humiliation and exaltation
December 17, 2006 - The Word became flesh
December 10, 2006 - Light that conquers
December 3, 2006 - What God says about Jesus
November 26, 2006 - Who is Jesus Christ?
November 19, 2006 - God offers return and restoration
November 12, 2006 - The people go into exile
November 5, 2006 - Josiah brings reform
October 29, 2006 - Elijah triumphs with God
October 22, 2006 - God grants wisdom to Solomon
October 15, 2006 - God makes a covenant with David
October 8, 2006 - God answers Samuel’s prayer
October 1, 2006 - God leads through Deborah
September 24, 2006 - God sends judges
September 17, 2006 - Covenant renewed
September 10, 2006 - God’s covenant with Israel
September 3, 2006 - God’s covenant with Abraham
August 27, 2006 - God’s covenant with Noah
August 20, 2006 - Giving sufficient grace
August 13, 2006 - Giving is a witness
July 31, 2006 - Giving generously
July 30, 2006 - Giving forgiveness
July 23, 2006 - Called to Love
July 16, 2006 - Called to the common good
July 9, 2006 - Called to win the race
July 2, 2006 - Called to help the weak
June 25, 2006 - Called to relationships
June 18, 2006 - Living out wisdom
June 11, 2006 - Serving Together
June 4, 2006 - Serving with spiritual wisdom
May 28, 2006 - Serving in unity
May 21, 2006 - Living out wisdom
May 14, 2006 - Follow the path of integrity
May 7, 2006 - Accept God's invitation
April 30, 2006 - Seek wisdom
April 23, 2006 - Living in God's time
April 16, 2006 - Finding life's meaning
April 9, 2006 - God gives life
April 2, 2006 - Searching for hope
March 26, 2006 - Responding to tragedy
March 19, 2006 - Sing praise to the Creator
March 12, 2006 - God created and knows us
March 5, 2006 - God created wonderful things
February 26, 2006 - God made us special
February 19, 2006 - Live and teach the truth
February 12, 2006 - Follow a good mentor
February 5, 2006 - Develop Christian character
January 29, 2006 - Teach for godliness
January 22, 2006 - Practice justice and mercy
January 15, 2006 - Teach for godliness
January 8, 2006 - Call godly leaders
January 1, 2006 - Pray for everyone
December 25, 2005 - Rely on God's strength
December 18, 2005 - Good news for the world
December 11, 2005 - Hope for the suffering
December 4, 2005 - Strength for the weary
November 27, 2005 - Justice for all
November 20, 2005 - Paul says goodbye
November 13, 2005 - Priscilla and Aquila serve together
November 6, 2005 - Lydia demonstrates faithfulness
October 30, 2005 - Paul meets the Lord
October 23, 2005 - Peter escapes prison
October 16, 2005 - God welcomes Gentiles
October 9, 2005 - Philip teaches an Ethiopian
October 2, 2005 - Philip preaches in Samaria
September 29, 2005 - Stephen is faithful to the end
September 29, 2005 - Peter and John heal a lame man
September 18, 2005 - The church is bold
September 4, 2005 - The believers share