The Servant King (Luke 3:15-21)

​The Jewish people were in eager expectation to know if John was the MESSIAH they long waited for. John could have quickly grabbed the title, but no! By GOD’s grace HE quickly resisted the temptation and was faithful to tell them how their MESSIAH would be like. This long awaited MESSIAH would be mightier than John, that John would not be able to come and untie HIS sandals which was the lowliest task that the servants in their culture did. He also told them that the MESSIAH would baptise them with the SPIRIT, which would cleanse those who believe in HIM of their sin and grant them new life in CHRIST, while the baptism of fire meant judgement for those who did not believe in the MESSIAH. The MESSIAH comes with a winnowing fork to save those who belong to HIM and drive off those who don’t believe in HIM. John’s baptism cleansed people outwardly and showed them that they need to repent, leaving their sinful life, but they couldn’t leave the life on their own, they needed someone mightier than John to save them from sinful life and give them a new life. JESUS is that mighty PERSON that the people needed. Though HE was mighty, JESUS humbled HIMSELF by taking the form of a human being, identifying HIMSELF with the humans through baptism symbolising that HE would take up their sins on the cross instead of them and resurrect to save them. We see the TRINITY in action here, we see how GOD was well pleased with HIS SON in what HE was doing to save us.

John just didn’t preach the good news to a selected audience, he preached it to everyone including kings (in spite of the dangers he could face) as we see in Herod’s case. He preached with exhortations, because if you actually want the good news you need to know the bad news as well that you are sinner damned to hell. Though Herod had the opportunity to hear the good news he ended up rejecting which is absolutely bad news for him because the MESSIAH comes with winnowing fork to gather HIS who openly accept that they are sinners and need a SAVIOR and burn in unquenchable fire those who don’t see the need for HIM cause of pride and satisfaction in sin.

Self reflection:

1. What do you think of the mighty KING JESUS identifying HIMSELF with sinners?

2. Is pride preventing you from accepting the good news?

3. Do you point others to JESUS when they think highly of you because of what GOD has done in you?