To we come to Luke 3. The story of Jesus is one that has so many amazing parts to it. This passage is another one that is filled with so much that we can learn from that we can take into our lives.
Here John is baptising people in the river, John is unimpressed by the people seeking baptism to be seen to be doing it, to impress people. They get a spray from him that is one of the best sledges of history. Then many different people come to him and ask him what they should do. To each he tells them things that they need to change in their lives.
Now it is not to say that to be a Christian you need to change, absolutely not! To come to Christ all you need to do is come! You are not asked to be anything just honest that you need Him! It is Christ that does the rest.
However, to claim to be a Christian and then to live however you like is not how it works! There is no prescribed process to follow, sexual sins, gluttony, gossip, speeding, ... The list is made by many and can be long. Each person who speaks to John is told something different and to each of us Christ speaks individually. What is important is if in the Christian journey you are not in some way being changed then you are likely not walking with him. It is a journey of change, challenge and development. Jesus came to give life and life is all about change!
Jesus comes forward and is baptised by John. This is an act of humility and obedience. Coming out of the water the holy spirit descends on him like a dove. I like this metaphor because a dove landing is a very action packed thing to watch. A dove flaps and makes quite a noise it is far from peace and tranquility. This is how the Holy Spirit wants to be in our lives. It is in action that the Holy Spirit wants to come!
This christmas may the dove descend on you! May there be power in your life may there be renewal and change as God works on your heart and life.
- Andrew Snook
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